Brighton and Hove Buses hikes online fares (From The Argus)
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Brighton and Hove Buses hikes online fares
8:30am Wednesday 5th September 2012 in News By Siobhan Ryan
Transport bosses are planning an inflation-busting rise in online bus fares.
Brighton and Hove Bus Company is aiming to increase one day online Saver tickers from £3.20 to £3.50, a rise of 9%. It also intends to increase the £15 seven day ticket to £17.50, up 16%.
The new charges are due to come into force on September 16.
However bosses say there will be plenty of options and offers available to give people a chance to get tickets at reduced prices.
No changes are planned for the price of tickets bought from drivers or in shops. These rose by up to 25% in April.
Managing director Roger French said: “We will be continuing to promote cheaper prices with special discounts for online purchasers which has proved to be hugely popular with passengers over the last few years.
“We would encourage customers to sign up online for more bargains in the coming months.
“Online prices will vary as these promotions run and will be promoted in our monthly e-newsletters.”
It has been a year since the company last increased its ticket prices online.
The news is likely to concern passengers already facing a sharp hike in rail fares next year.
People travelling from Brighton to London could have to pay nearly £5,000 a year for a season ticket when the changes come into force in January.
The Government is allowing train firms to raise regulated fares by 3% more than RPI inflation from January, based on July's inflation figure, which is 3.2%. This means a possible rise of 6.2%.
Last month Brighton and Hove was named as the second least car-dependent city in the country.
The Campaign for Better Transport assessed each city across four categories: accessibility and planning, cycling and walking as alternatives, bus and train quality and uptake, and driving and car use.
The city's public transport was ranked as the best in the country with the report commending a 7% increase in station satisfaction and the introduction of bus smartcards.
Comments(40)
BEVIE33
says...
8:51am Wed 5 Sep 12
Sylvia1980
says...
9:25am Wed 5 Sep 12
NickBtn
says...
9:44am Wed 5 Sep 12
Multiple increases way above inflation over the years - clearly competition isn't working. Well really there isn't competition as B&H buses have an effective monopoly now that big lemon has been (nearly) squeezed out (yes, unfortunate expression to squeeze the lemon!)
Green policy is to encourage less private cars. They have followed this very enthusiastically hence some of the mad parking prices. However there needs to be an alternative - and with prices on buses going up so much and so often this really isn't effective
So, come on greens. Either regulate bus price rises or get more competition into Brighton to do that through the market. Don't take away other transport options and then make us all suffer inflation busting price rises and profiteering from the go-ahead corporation
rightback
says...
9:46am Wed 5 Sep 12
Enema of the peephole
says...
9:54am Wed 5 Sep 12
If too many victims did take advantage of any meagre online discounts then all prices can be increased to claw-in as much cash as is desired at a later date?
Best to just keep that chin up and whistle a happy tune.
If victims travelling by train are worried about increases in rip offs (fares) in January then don't despair! You'll probably lose your job before then and won't need one.
The government-endorsed high-interest loan companies will then be waiting to help you become homeless.
F in L
says...
12:47pm Wed 5 Sep 12
Enema of the peephole wrote:Wise words indeed. I do not know of anyone who uses public transport, but I am sure it is dreadful and over priced. One only has to look at some of the people at the bus stops!
I guess people should only complain if their is something that can be done about a problem. Even choosing to walk a few miles will result in higher fares for those who cannot walk.
If too many victims did take advantage of any meagre online discounts then all prices can be increased to claw-in as much cash as is desired at a later date?
Best to just keep that chin up and whistle a happy tune.
If victims travelling by train are worried about increases in rip offs (fares) in January then don't despair! You'll probably lose your job before then and won't need one.
The government-endorsed high-interest loan companies will then be waiting to help you become homeless.
hovian
says...
2:20pm Wed 5 Sep 12
NickBtn wrote:Couldn't agree more. It is time to regulate these greedy operators who have just about squeezed out all the competition on the central Brighton routes. This company just goes on blithely milking its customers year after year and if people would use buses as little as possible - perhaps they would see some sense. I walk everywhere these days.
Looks like there needs to be regulation of bus prices in Brighton and Hove as we do with the trains
Multiple increases way above inflation over the years - clearly competition isn't working. Well really there isn't competition as B&H buses have an effective monopoly now that big lemon has been (nearly) squeezed out (yes, unfortunate expression to squeeze the lemon!)
Green policy is to encourage less private cars. They have followed this very enthusiastically hence some of the mad parking prices. However there needs to be an alternative - and with prices on buses going up so much and so often this really isn't effective
So, come on greens. Either regulate bus price rises or get more competition into Brighton to do that through the market. Don't take away other transport options and then make us all suffer inflation busting price rises and profiteering from the go-ahead corporation
Chipstick41
says...
3:27pm Wed 5 Sep 12
KemptownBoys
says...
3:45pm Wed 5 Sep 12
Better for people to group together and get taxi's.
taman
says...
4:17pm Wed 5 Sep 12
“The payments to Brighton & Hove Buses from the Public Transport budget
for services and goods received over the last five years are as follows:
2011-12 : £1,177,600
2010-11 : £1,140,200
2009-10 : £1,236,800
2008-09 : £1,340,000
2007-08 : £1,143,600”
ICantThinkOfAName
says...
6:17pm Wed 5 Sep 12
B & H buses are part of the same group as Southern Railway. So it's no wonder that if one puts up its fares the other will follow.
prescription
says...
6:19pm Wed 5 Sep 12
lillylou
says...
6:24pm Wed 5 Sep 12
Corn Hill
says...
6:27pm Wed 5 Sep 12
1's, 5's, 7's go around in packs with 5 or 6 people on each most of the time.
Are all these buses called for?
Its a massive waste of money in vehicles, capital outlay, servicing & depreciation, drivers wages & fuel.
If they ran a bus regularly every 15 minutes or so, rather than the current 5-10 mins you'd nigh on halve the running costs over night & keep the fares down.
VALETTA
says...
6:49pm Wed 5 Sep 12
BEVIE33 wrote:You still can!!
i cant believe this stupid new idea of having a top up card, why cant we still have the scratch cards, we can buy them in all newsagents and save money, not everyone has the internet my parents for one so how are they going to be able to use this system? come on brighton and hove bus company ???
VALETTA
says...
6:49pm Wed 5 Sep 12
dizzylou wrote:No!
Does that mean any tickets we got for 3.20 won't be able to be used after 16th?
VALETTA
says...
6:52pm Wed 5 Sep 12
rightback wrote:Stagecoach, Compass, Big Lemon, Countryliner, metrobus.
The simple answer to all of this is to end the monopoly given to BHBC to run bus services. Isn't it about time we bought in another company to run the buses alongside BHBC. That would concentrate their minds somewhat!
hovian
says...
6:54pm Wed 5 Sep 12
VALETTA wrote:I think you can still use any Savers you bought online at old price - see below from an email I was sent:
dizzylou wrote:No!
Does that mean any tickets we got for 3.20 won't be able to be used after 16th?
We've frozen the cost of online tickets for the past year but 1-day and 7-day SAVER tickets will increase in price from 16 September. You can avoid the increase by topping up your key smartcard within the next couple of weeks and take advantage of the current prices of just £3.20 for a day and £15 for 7-days travel. You can buy up to fifteen 1-day tickets or eight 7-day tickets in one transaction. Click here to purchase.
Hove Actually
says...
7:38pm Wed 5 Sep 12
The shame of it is, is less cash to spend affects Shops and restaurants which affects jobs which affects everyone in the long term.
I thought the idea was to try and get people out of their cars and onto public transport.
How can it be cheaper for 4 adults to drive in a car to Worthing, Crawley, Eastbourne or Horsham and park than to travel into Brighton on a bus to shop?
Lady Smith
says...
7:45pm Wed 5 Sep 12
NickBtn wrote:Well said, NickBtn! All the politicians seem to be afraid to stand up to Roger French, for fear his company will pull out of B&Hove. Which, of course, they won't, cos it's a nice little earner, with no main competitors.
Looks like there needs to be regulation of bus prices in Brighton and Hove as we do with the trains
Multiple increases way above inflation over the years - clearly competition isn't working. Well really there isn't competition as B&H buses have an effective monopoly now that big lemon has been (nearly) squeezed out (yes, unfortunate expression to squeeze the lemon!)
Green policy is to encourage less private cars. They have followed this very enthusiastically hence some of the mad parking prices. However there needs to be an alternative - and with prices on buses going up so much and so often this really isn't effective
So, come on greens. Either regulate bus price rises or get more competition into Brighton to do that through the market. Don't take away other transport options and then make us all suffer inflation busting price rises and profiteering from the go-ahead corporation
ghost bus driver
says...
8:58pm Wed 5 Sep 12
rightback wrote:Compass Travel and Big Lemon. That's two other companies. The monopoly has already been broken.
The simple answer to all of this is to end the monopoly given to BHBC to run bus services. Isn't it about time we bought in another company to run the buses alongside BHBC. That would concentrate their minds somewhat!
KIS says
says...
9:54pm Wed 5 Sep 12
Corn Hill wrote:I don't have knowledge of the 5's or 7's but the number 1 buses that I use are more than often full - possibly with prams and the over 60's with their concessionary passes.
I've been saying it for years but on certain routes there are just too many buses. 1's, 5's, 7's go around in packs with 5 or 6 people on each most of the time. Are all these buses called for? Its a massive waste of money in vehicles, capital outlay, servicing & depreciation, drivers wages & fuel. If they ran a bus regularly every 15 minutes or so, rather than the current 5-10 mins you'd nigh on halve the running costs over night & keep the fares down.
B'ton & Hove have a superb bus service, with modern buses and technology, it must all come at cost. Ive just been on holiday where the town had two buses scheduled per hour, that arrived if you were lucky.
Bill Giles
says...
9:55pm Wed 5 Sep 12
ghost bus driver wrote:And Countryliner and Stagecoach.....that'
rightback wrote: The simple answer to all of this is to end the monopoly given to BHBC to run bus services. Isn't it about time we bought in another company to run the buses alongside BHBC. That would concentrate their minds somewhat!Compass Travel and Big Lemon. That's two other companies. The monopoly has already been broken.
s four other bus companies. How many more do we want?
hovian
says...
10:14pm Wed 5 Sep 12
Bill Giles wrote:It's not about the overal number of competitors coming into the city centre - it's about competitors on the comprehensive route network within the city and very few of those routes are served by direct competitors - only by B&H buses
ghost bus driver wrote:And Countryliner and Stagecoach.....that'
rightback wrote: The simple answer to all of this is to end the monopoly given to BHBC to run bus services. Isn't it about time we bought in another company to run the buses alongside BHBC. That would concentrate their minds somewhat!Compass Travel and Big Lemon. That's two other companies. The monopoly has already been broken.
s four other bus companies. How many more do we want?
Gary1973
says...
10:23pm Wed 5 Sep 12
Sylvia1980 wrote:It's a nationwide problem. You got free travel out of them so stop winging.
One big joke this is. I also requested 'The Key' to save money. I find it very inconvenient as it takes at least 24 hours before you can use your purchased tickets. If it works at all. There are still faulty card readers on buses - sort them out!! And then my worst experience. Topped my card up and it took exactly a week before I could use the tickets on my card. Bus drivers kept telling me there was nothing on my card, while I knew there was. Called the Customer Service who were less than helpful. I asked for a refund and was told I had to speak to the complaints team. I had to call the same number again and never spoke to anyone as they just hung up on me. I decided to email them and finally got an answer - they could not refund me but they sent me two DaySavers by POST. Nice gesture and grateful for two free savers, but Brighton & Hove Buses is clearly not up to this challenge yet. Great idea - poor execution. I'd rather walk now (where possible)
Gary1973
says...
10:26pm Wed 5 Sep 12
rightback wrote:What are you on about? There is no monopoly. There is no monopoly to end? No one has given B&H a monopoly. Who said B&H has a monopoly?
The simple answer to all of this is to end the monopoly given to BHBC to run bus services. Isn't it about time we bought in another company to run the buses alongside BHBC. That would concentrate their minds somewhat!
ANY COMPANY can set up routes in Brighton. Repeat, there is no monopoly.
guitarmanzz
says...
10:30pm Wed 5 Sep 12
Corn Hill wrote:Well said corn hill what a waste of money fuel etc and the queues these buses cause.Look at eastern road its chaos theres like a bus every 10 seconds with no one on them!its mayhem!!
I've been saying it for years but on certain routes there are just too many buses.
1's, 5's, 7's go around in packs with 5 or 6 people on each most of the time.
Are all these buses called for?
Its a massive waste of money in vehicles, capital outlay, servicing & depreciation, drivers wages & fuel.
If they ran a bus regularly every 15 minutes or so, rather than the current 5-10 mins you'd nigh on halve the running costs over night & keep the fares down.
Also why is it many drivers wont go around them when they stop?? is so frustrating when there a tanks width to get through!! its ok you can go round!
Gary1973
says...
10:30pm Wed 5 Sep 12
prescription wrote:You only pay £1.50 for a short journey. Have you been to Worthing? Our fares are higher and it annoys me when you people from Brighton complain that your fares are high. It's about time you realise how lucky you are to have such cheap buses.
The buses are so overpriced in Brighton for what is usually a very short journey. I'd use the buses loads if I could walk on & pay a quid. As it is I either walk or get a cab.
NickBtn
says...
10:35pm Wed 5 Sep 12
hovian wrote:When big lemon did compete on the 25 route prices went down and frequency went up. This squeezed out big lemon on this route - but shows competition can work. It's just needed on a larger scale.
Bill Giles wrote:It's not about the overal number of competitors coming into the city centre - it's about competitors on the comprehensive route network within the city and very few of those routes are served by direct competitors - only by B&H buses
ghost bus driver wrote:And Countryliner and Stagecoach.....that'
rightback wrote: The simple answer to all of this is to end the monopoly given to BHBC to run bus services. Isn't it about time we bought in another company to run the buses alongside BHBC. That would concentrate their minds somewhat!Compass Travel and Big Lemon. That's two other companies. The monopoly has already been broken.
s four other bus companies. How many more do we want?
Yes, there are other bus companies that start/end in the city but no effective competition on services within Brighton and Hove
After big lemon's experience others will be less likely to try. So perhaps regulation is the answer. Anyway, a challenge again to the local politicians, green and others, to act: regulate or encourage competition
hovian
says...
10:37pm Wed 5 Sep 12
Gary1973 wrote:what a joke - such cheap buses - ONLY £1.50 for a couple of stops....I don't call that cheap. Or the existing £2.20 single fare.
prescription wrote:You only pay £1.50 for a short journey. Have you been to Worthing? Our fares are higher and it annoys me when you people from Brighton complain that your fares are high. It's about time you realise how lucky you are to have such cheap buses.
The buses are so overpriced in Brighton for what is usually a very short journey. I'd use the buses loads if I could walk on & pay a quid. As it is I either walk or get a cab.
Funny how suddenly all the pro Brighton buses people have suddenly appeared on this board....
Gary1973
says...
10:38pm Wed 5 Sep 12
KIS says wrote:KIS the trouble is that people in Brighton are spolit. They take it for granted that they have new buses, buses running from 5am to past midnight, information at every stop, and compared with other towns, very cheap fares.
Corn Hill wrote:I don't have knowledge of the 5's or 7's but the number 1 buses that I use are more than often full - possibly with prams and the over 60's with their concessionary passes.
I've been saying it for years but on certain routes there are just too many buses. 1's, 5's, 7's go around in packs with 5 or 6 people on each most of the time. Are all these buses called for? Its a massive waste of money in vehicles, capital outlay, servicing & depreciation, drivers wages & fuel. If they ran a bus regularly every 15 minutes or so, rather than the current 5-10 mins you'd nigh on halve the running costs over night & keep the fares down.
B'ton & Hove have a superb bus service, with modern buses and technology, it must all come at cost. Ive just been on holiday where the town had two buses scheduled per hour, that arrived if you were lucky.
It's only when they go on holiday and use other bus services that they realise how good B&H are after all.
rolivan
says...
10:58pm Wed 5 Sep 12
Gary1973
says...
12:24am Thu 6 Sep 12
hovian wrote:Yes, only £1.50 for a couple of stops. In Worthing it is MUCH MORE. £1,50 is cheap, and as for the £2.20 single fare? What a bargain. You can travel from Shoreham to Rottingdean for that I believe. From here to Shoreham which is a much shorter distance it is much more expensive, so don't complain about your bargain bus fares. You need to know how much more they are elsewhere and be grateful you live in Brighton.
Gary1973 wrote:what a joke - such cheap buses - ONLY £1.50 for a couple of stops....I don't call that cheap. Or the existing £2.20 single fare.
prescription wrote:You only pay £1.50 for a short journey. Have you been to Worthing? Our fares are higher and it annoys me when you people from Brighton complain that your fares are high. It's about time you realise how lucky you are to have such cheap buses.
The buses are so overpriced in Brighton for what is usually a very short journey. I'd use the buses loads if I could walk on & pay a quid. As it is I either walk or get a cab.
Funny how suddenly all the pro Brighton buses people have suddenly appeared on this board....
bluemonday
says...
9:03am Thu 6 Sep 12
hovian wrote:what is peoples problem with b+h bus co,even before these price rises were mentioned people seem to have an axe to grind,an excellent bus service providing alot of jobs in brighton,is it you just don't like to see success.
Gary1973 wrote:what a joke - such cheap buses - ONLY £1.50 for a couple of stops....I don't call that cheap. Or the existing £2.20 single fare. Funny how suddenly all the pro Brighton buses people have suddenly appeared on this board....prescription wrote: The buses are so overpriced in Brighton for what is usually a very short journey. I'd use the buses loads if I could walk on & pay a quid. As it is I either walk or get a cab.You only pay £1.50 for a short journey. Have you been to Worthing? Our fares are higher and it annoys me when you people from Brighton complain that your fares are high. It's about time you realise how lucky you are to have such cheap buses.
slush789
says...
9:15am Thu 6 Sep 12
Bill Giles
says...
11:10am Thu 6 Sep 12
Ihopenoonehasthisusername
says...
10:21am Fri 7 Sep 12
KemptownBoys wrote:If you know it's going to take 48 hours for it to arrive on your card why don't you top it up 48 hours before you're going to need it???
Not only are they hiking the price overprices service already, but when you top up online- you have to wait 48hrs for it to arrive to your card. Now thats what I call service.
Better for people to group together and get taxi's.
Old Ladys Gin
says...
11:41am Fri 7 Sep 12
Gary1973 wrote:I think 1.50 is pretty steep really.
prescription wrote:You only pay £1.50 for a short journey. Have you been to Worthing? Our fares are higher and it annoys me when you people from Brighton complain that your fares are high. It's about time you realise how lucky you are to have such cheap buses.
The buses are so overpriced in Brighton for what is usually a very short journey. I'd use the buses loads if I could walk on & pay a quid. As it is I either walk or get a cab.
But I do agree that Worthing buses or buses to and from that town are very expensive.
I asked a driver of a 700 how much the far was from Shoreham to Worthing and almost fell over; better and more healthy to walk.
Old Ladys Gin
says...
11:45am Fri 7 Sep 12
I hardly ever caught a bus as the town itself is too small to warrant it.
You can walk anywhere within the centre in 20 minutes.
Once old enough and if I wanted to go to some more outlying suburb I drove.
There do seem to me to be an awful lot of empty or near empty buses aimlessly trolling around the town!
dizzylou says...
8:43am Wed 5 Sep 12