In article ,
(Paul Corfield) wrote:

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.

In 2003 the fare was 80p cash
In 2004 the fare was 70p cash
In 2005 the fare will be 120p cash.

This will be a 50% rise on the 2003 fares and a 70% rise on the 2004
fares for the many people who pay cash. It's just a rip-off.

The prepay etc. fares are just a smoke screen. It's like a firm saying -
"look, we haven't put our prices up this year but, for those of you not
paying by direct debit you'll now pay another £2/month!"

Roger



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!