Now Bristol seeks fares rise
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• The Bristol Group of Companies which will be faced with a considerably increased wages bill for crews from September 14 when its new consolidated pay award (CM August 291 comes into force, is applying to the Traffic Commissioners in November for a revised fares structure.
Under the proposed structure, the minimum fare would be increased from 4d to 5d and all new fares would have regard to decimalization which comes into force in February 1971.
Fares would be based on the new pence system with the lowest at 2p (5d). The fares would ascend in amounts of 10 which under the present system would alternate between 2d and 3d. The new fares would then convert easily to decimal currency and any slight discrepancy in conversions of certain amounts would even out on a "swings and roundabouts" basis.
The Group proposes to lower the level at which season tickets can be bought on country services. The present minimum to qualify for monthly or quarterly season tickets is a 1s 9d fare. The new minimum will be a 1s 2d fare which would result in more passengers being able to stabilize their travelling costs.
For the first time season tickets would be introduced in town and city services in Bath, Cheltenham, Gloucester, Weston-super-Mare and on certain local services in Swindon.
Under the proposed plan a passenger paying a Is 2d fare could buy a monthly season ticket for £2 4s and would also be free to use his ticket more frequently than on one return trip per. day. For instance, he could travel home to lunch at no extra cost. The new system would also assist o-m-o.
Bristol also proposes to increase its day-out tickets from 12s 6d to 14s. These tickets permit a passenger to travel anywhere within the Bristol operating area during one day.
The Group will purchase 30 single-deck buses adapted for o-m-o in 1970. for operation on country routes. Replacing old vehicles, they will be distributed as follows: Gloucester City 4; Cheltenham 2: Bath Services 6; Bristol Country Services 18. In addition,•19 existing single-deckers will be converted to o-m-o and be fitted with a central exit, to operate initially on town and city services in Bath, Cheltenham, Gloucester and Weston-superMare.
A total of 40 central-exit single-deckers will also be operating on city services in Bristol by the end of the year and a further 56 have been ordered for delivery in 1970.
All the above vehicles will be 36ft Bristol RELLs fitted with bodywork by Eastern Coach Works Ltd.