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Ribble's low fare gamble
Page 34
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A brave experiment with a low fare high frequency town bus service in Skelmersdale starts tomorrow.
Known as the Centrelink network, the experiment comprises a series of new bus service circuits converging on the town centre.
Skelmersdale's existing bus services, designed to serve a New Town planned around the pedestrian and the private car, have consistently lost money and the Centrelink scheme is a six month experiment with the purpose of making the bus services sufficiently attractive to greatly increase their use.
The scheme is costing Lancashire County Council some £100,000 for the experiment.
If the expected increase in passengers and income does not materialise, Ribble could be forced to cut services in Skelmersdale in order to balance costs with income through fares.
A flat fare of 6p for adults (4p for children) will carry a passenger any distance on a single journey on any Centrelink service at off-peak times every weekday and all day on Saturdays and Sundays. This represents a saving of up to 12p on the ordinary single fare.