Bus provider launches £1 evening fare scheme
FIRST BUS have announced a new scheme alongside Hampshire County Council to allow adults travel on their evening services for a £1 single ticket starting from today (October 23); which will continue for a six week period until December 17 (Thursday) and will apply to journeys within the Hampshire zone.
This promotional fare is designed to help grow passenger numbers on First Bus’s commercial routes by making evening bus travel more affordable. It is an initiative that has been funded the Bus Service Improvement Plan, a Government grant given for the purpose of improving bus services.
It means all adult single journeys after 6pm that start in the First Bus Hampshire Zone will be £1. Trips beginning or ending in Southampton and Portsmouth are not included in the scheme as they aren’t part of Hampshire County Council.
Ed Jonwood, Head of Commercial South for First Bus, said: “This is great news for customers and will be a real boost for trips to enjoy leisure, hospitality and entertainment across the region, as well as those working shifts and in the night time economy. We’re confident this will appeal in the build up to the festive season and the opening of winter attractions.”
He continued: “We look forward to welcoming existing and new customers on board our services and hope that this £1 fare can be a success in encouraging more people to consider using the bus as a sustainable option in their travel habits.”
Councillor Steve Forster, Hampshire County Council’s Executive Member for Highways and Passenger Transport, said: “Making it easier and more affordable for people to get out and about in the evenings is good news for passengers, as well as for local restaurants, entertainment venues and other businesses.
“Working with First Bus, we’re using this eight-week initiative to encourage more people living close to their network in the South East of Hampshire to give the bus a try and discover whether it could become a regular option for their journeys.
Concluding, he stated: “It’s another example of how we’re using Hampshire’s Bus Service Improvement Plan funding in a targeted way, helping make bus travel more convenient, affordable and accessible, while supporting growth in passenger numbers and our local economy.”
Full details of services covered by the £1 fare can be found on the First Bus website, which also includes information about any service disruptions / changes and detailed timetables across the region.
PICTURED BY FIRST BUS: Cllr Steve Forster (right) and Ed Jonwood help launch the £1 evening fare, which started today (October 23) and will run until December 17.
