Tory fury over fares subsidies
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SOUTH YORKSHIRE County Council has said that it will be sticking with its popular "pegged-fare" policy this year — despite the extra subsidy cost of £11m.
Its decision has caused anger with the Tory opposition on the Council, who see it as a direct challenge to the Government's drive to cut public spending.
South Yorkshire PTE and Yorkshire Traction fares are the lowest in the country, and have remained unchanged for the last four years. Its policy has proved highly attractive to passengers and has permitted SYPTE to break new ground by introducing high-capacity articulated vehicles in city centre services. It has also increased its bus fleet.
SYPTE buses have high passenger loadings throughout the day and the number of passengers carried is expected to rise by 5m to 350m next year: Total subsidy is around £45m per year.