Bus fares: good news from First

Earlier this year, First Buses introduced new fares on all their routes. It was an attempt to rationalise the pricing structure with a smaller number of price bands, consistent multiples for returns and for children’s fares and simplification of the multi-day tickets.

The effect of the changes was to increase the fare for Probus to Truro to £4 single and £6 return. Many bus passengers have the benefit of a concessionary pass and those Probus residents who pay the full fare have the option of catching a Western Greyhound bus which typically has lower fares. However, for those who had to catch First buses and pay the new fares, this was a significant increase.

In Grampound, the fares went up to £5 single to either Truro or St Austell, or £7.50 return.

I contacted the managing director of First South West and asked him to look again at fares in our area. I am pleased to advise that First has now implemented a reduction in the Probus-Truro fare to bring it back down to £3 single, £4.50 return; child fares are half the adult price. For Grampound, the fares to both Truro and St Austell have been reduced to £4 single or £6 return.

March 2014