First Group Plc in Greater Manchester announced yesterday some price changes to saver tickets to come into effect on Sunday 1 March 2015. All other fares remain unchanged including all single tickets.
First's network-wide day ticket will increase by 20p, the week ticket by 50p and the month ticket by £2. Despite these increases, saver tickets remain cheaper than in 2012. For example the day ticket is 30p cheaper (£4.50 vs £4.20) and the week ticket is still more than 20% cheaper (£18 vs £14). Customers currently paying £50 for a month ticket can avoid any increase by switching to buying their month ticket via their mobile.
All other ticket prices are unchanged including single fares which have not increased since 2012. Other value for money tickets including the Young Persons 16-18 week ticket at £10 are also unchanged.
First explained that some rises were necessary to meet increasing costs of operation and to provide a solid business platform to drive further service improvement for customers in 2015. In the last 12 months alone First has invested over £12m* in new buses across Manchester as well as investing in initiatives such as mobile ticketing to improve service quality for customers together with training & development for staff. Plans are now also in place to introduce Wi-Fi on buses and real time information for customers on First buses in Manchester this Spring.
Ian Humphreys, Head of Commercial for First in Manchester said: "Despite having to absorb increasing costs, I'm very pleased that we've been able to hold the prices of most of our fares. It means that the majority of our customers will benefit by paying exactly the same for bus travel."
"However, most costs associated with operating buses are increasing and therefore we need to review our fares from time-to-time to take account of rising costs and ensure we can continue to invest in improving services for our customers in future. In 2014 we've introduced a number of improvements for customers including luxury buses, new cross-city routes and a range of fares and ticketing initiatives.
"These price changes will help support the extensive 7-day network of services offered across Manchester, many of which are largely dependent upon fares from customers to cover their operating costs.
"I appreciate nobody likes it when prices go up but we have worked hard to keep any increases to a minimum. The cost of travel on a First bus still represents excellent value-for-money, and customers can continue to enjoy unlimited travel across the network for less than £2** per day.
"Our aim in 2015 is to continue to give value-for-money to our customers and to build upon the customer growth we have delivered over the last two years."
Here are the details of the changes:
Annual Ticket
Online/by phone - Increases from £500 to £520
Monthly Ticket
Online/by phone/from TfGM Travelshops - Increases from £50 to £52
Using our mTicket App - Increases from £48 to £50
Weekly Ticket
Adult - Increases from £13.50 to £14
Child - Increases from £6.70 to £7
Day Ticket
Adult - Increases from £4 to £4.20
Child - Increases from £2 to £2.10
Group - Increases from £8.60 to £9
Night Ticket
Adult - Increases from £4 to £4.20
Special saver products
No changes to:
Rochdale Road Day/Week
SuperSaver
Quids in
Wilmslow Road Day/Week
Bolton 519 Week
Tameside Day
Single Tickets
No changes
*£12m in 61 new buses, services 41, 42 & 348/350
**Based on a month ticket at £52 across 4 weeks
