Free buses, but at what a cost
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A RECENT survey carried out by the Merseyside Passenger Transport Executive shows that on average about 3.000 commuters travelling in on normal services use the free City Centre buses, which began in February, towards the end of their journey resulting in a loss of 3p per journey. Another 3,000 passengers use the free ride as an alternative to the normal services, resulting in a loss of approximately 5p per journey.
The service which runs every 15 minutes outside peak times follows the former city ride route which before February carried an average of 8,000 passengers per week. Now more than 18,500 people a week are using the free buses compared with 12,500 when the service first became free and as passengers have increased so have costs.
• The Executive argues that the increase in passengers on the free service, far from making it more feasible, takes fare paying passengers from other city routes.
With passenger loadings at their present level the total cost of operating the free service is about £32,000.
When the City Council first agreed to support it, its share of the cost was £12,000, but this share was later increased to £18,000 and may now have to be raised again to £24,000.