Backlash over new zone fare changes

Adam Hewitt • Published 25 Mar 2010 10:00 6 Comments

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READING Buses is facing a passenger backlash over its new fares and zones with commuters hit especially hard.

The company has frozen the prices of some tickets and others will cost much less after the changes on Tuesday, April 6; but for passengers coming into the town centre from the suburbs, a weekly ticket will cost £13, up from £11.

Zones in Reading are being abolished so the tickets will let passengers rove all over town for the same price - but this is small comfort to those who feel they are being hammered with a rise of nearly 20%.

Jamie Kumari said she felt "total disgust" over the price hike and has written to Reading Buses complaining about the "unjustifiable" increase.

She said: "I use the bus to travel from my house in Calcot to town, Monday through till Friday. I do not use the bus any other time - and travel nowhere else in Reading. I am finding things hard at the moment financially, as is everyone, and this bus fare increase is making things even tougher. I will have to resort to using my car."

Phil Puttock said: "The Government wants people to leave cars at home and use public transport - how can we do this when prices are increased to such an extent?"

The company has also come under attack on its Facebook fan page. One user, 'Red Kite', wrote: "I think you'll find come April 6 that the majority of regular bus users in Reading will be very unhappy with [this] decision."

All-day tickets are going up from £3.50 to £3.80 but the bus company said many fares are being cut. It is also giving a discount on weekly tickets until April 19 - anyone buying one on a smartcard will pay £10 instead of £13, but will have to replace their smartcard first.

Marketing manager Nikki Honer said: "Our single ticket prices haven't changed and a lot of fares are less than they are now. In the context of very sharply rising petrol prices we think the new simplyBus range will actually appeal to people when they look at the value it gives them."

Smartcards are available at the Great Knollys Street head office, the Broad Street Mall travel centre, or at www.reading-buses.co.uk

Have your say. Post a comment on this article.

Nigel Birch
Unregistered User
Mar 25, 14:08
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The traffic flows at peak periods in Reading and particularly on Kings Road affects all road users whether in a car or on the bus. Until Reading Borough does something to alleviate congestion then peopl will still use cars in preferences to alternative bus BUT it doesn't help to pursuade drivers to use a bus if fare prices are raised significantly. I was amazed that I had to pay £1.70 single from Crescent Rd (TVU) to Kings Rd (TVU) I was told on leaving the buse that a return would have been still have been £1.70. This doesn't make sence - how about fai

ess for all users whether regular commuters or occassional users? Its poor value!!

NB

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Lee
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Mar 25, 21:43
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Maybe if getting a bus in Reading was a slightly more pleasent experience, it may go some way to justifying yet another price increase. Such as being met my a driver who isn't rude, miserable and unprofessional, for it seems the vast majority of Reading Buses drivers are just that. And people still thank the driver when they get off - if my eyes, you earn respect, you don't inherit it.

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Bobby
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Mar 26, 00:02
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What yer moaning about? They always grunt or point at the cash thing, and on a good day they even speak.

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Pete
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Mar 29, 21:17
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I'm puzzled as to how 18% is "nearly 25%". Sorry, but it isn't.

2/11*100 = 18 (nearest integer)

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Adam Hewitt
Unregistered User
Mar 30, 10:16
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You're quite right Pete, that should have said nearly 20%, not nearly 25%, it's now been amended. Cheers for spotting that.

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Madness
Unregistered User
Mar 31, 07:29
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Didn't Reading Buses make a handsome profit last year? And most commuters did not even get a salary increase.

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