Bus firms agree deal over Brighton and Hove through tickets (From The Argus)

Bus firms agree deal over Brighton and Hove through tickets

12:40pm Thursday 30th August 2012 in News By Tim Ridgway, Local government reporter

Bus passengers will be able to get across Brighton and Hove with one ticket – regardless of who runs the routes.

A number of new services will start in September, subsidised by Brighton and Hove City Council .

Fears were expressed that “through ticketing”, where passengers could pay one fare and use all services regardless of its operator for a single journey, would not be in operation, which would end up costing people hundreds of pounds extra a year.

But the council has confirmed that all three firms running routes – Brighton and Hove Bus Company , Compass and The Big Lemon – have now agreed to accept all tickets.

However, Key Cards used by Brighton and Hove Buses will not be accepted on the rival firms’ routes as they do not have the right technology installed.

This means passengers served by these subsidised routes will have to buy photocard and paper tickets which cost an extra £35 a year.

Roger French, of Brighton and Hove Bus Company, said: “We can’t really comment on that as it was the council that came up with the tender for the subsidised routes.

“The other two firms do not have the technology while we have invested huge amounts of money into the technology. But we have offered to swap key cards for printed tickets or photo cards at no extra charge for residents living on council-funded routes.”

Timetables altered

The new timetables start from September 16 and the routes will continue for four years as part of nearly £1 million of investment from the council.

Cash fares will be in line with fares charged on the main bus routes and all saver tickets can be used on services operated by the three companies.

Among the subsided routes will be a shortened 52 route between Brighton Marina and Ovingdean operated by The Big Lemon and a 47 from East Saltdean to Brighton station run by Compass.

The Argus has reported the timetables of the routes will be altered so people do not have to wait for onward services. However some locals have expressed fears they will not be able to reach work in central Brighton for 9am and will not be able to get to London before 9.30am.

They add workers leaving work at 5pm will have to wait nearly an hour for the right bus home.

Ian Davey , chairman of the council’s transport committee, said: “We are really pleased the bus service providers have agreed to enable passengers to use their tickets across services.

“We hope that it heralds the start of a new era of cooperation between the city council, all bus operators and residents.”