On Tue, 21 Sep 2004 15:22:57 +0100, "John Rowland"
wrote:

"Jim" wrote in message
...

http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/news/articles/13301604

I don't understand how the ES can describe putting bus fares up from 100p to
120p before 9:30am and down from 100p to 80p after 9:30am as "Bus Fares
Soar".

The point though is that cash fares rise 20p or 20%; AM peak Oyster pre
pay fares rise 30p to £1 so nearly 50% while even off peak Pre Pay fares
rise 10p or 14%. No matter which way you view it I'd say they were
pretty big rises.

Of course the Evening Standard will do anything to make a headline but I
think they are partly justified in making a bit of noise about this.
Clearly the financial settlement from government is not being directed
at the bus network - looks like we are stuck with what we've got today
with not a lot of room for improvement for the next 4 years.

Free bus travel for all under 16? That is a diabolically bad idea... buses
will become unsafe for anyone else, that's if there's room for anyone else.
If they only gave free travel to under-16s who have been in no trouble with
the police or school, that might be an idea.

While I understand the social exclusion arguments about keeping child
fares down I do not agree with the policy of free fares for under 11
year olds never mind increasing it progressively to under 18s by 2006.
I trust Ken will be funding the increase in insurance and vandalism
costs in certain areas of London where youths and children already wreak
wanton damage on buses and related infrastructure. I feel sorry for the
bus drivers - how to make a tough job even more unattractive.
--
Paul C


Admits to working for London Underground!