Flat rate fee for bus pass holders could save services

CORNWALL COUNCIL is set to ask the Government to allow a flat rate fee for bus pass holders to help keep bus services going.

The council's Cabinet last week agreed to retain funding for bus services in Cornwall which had previously been earmarked for a significant reduction.

In a bid to keep threatened bus services going, the council is now seeking to be a test area for a flat rate fee for concessionary bus fares.

Under the proposal it was suggested that bus pass holders would pay 50p per journey, which would help fund bus services.

The council says that a combination of a reduction of grants from the Government for the concessionary bus fares scheme and a need to reduce its own costs has left some rural services under threat.

The council pays bus operators a subsidy towards concessionary bus fares – however last year it decided to reduce the levy from 73.5 per cent of the normal adult fare to 50 per cent. The council said that this would be more in line with other councils but bus operators said it would lead to routes being axed.

Graeme Hicks, Cabinet member for transport, said: "I am pleased that Cabinet has agreed to the recommendations which will safeguard Cornwall's supported bus network for the next two years.

"Our task now is to look at protecting Cornwall's public transport into the future."

He added: "We will lobby Government for more public transport funding and seek changes to the law to allow us to charge a nominal fare for concessionary journeys.

"With 5.8 million journeys made under the concessionary travel scheme last year, charging a flat rate nominal fee per journey – for example 50p – would raise £2.9 million a year, money which would go towards the supported bus network."

The agreement by the council came at the same time as bus companies started to announce their intentions for the coming year.

First announced some changes which will affect services in Truro, Falmouth and Penzance – the changes will come into effect on February 19.

Simon Newport, regional network manager, First South West and Wales, says: "While we understand that some people may be concerned about the reduction in frequency of some buses, these changes are necessary as it has become increasingly more difficult for us to operate underused journeys, as the costs of operating buses in the current climate have escalated in recent years."

For details of all changes go to www.firstgroup.com/cornwall or call 0845 6001420.