tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11828686.post7437588908777442301..comments2024-03-18T23:11:58.780+00:00Comments on Plymothian Transit: First Fares Updidbygrahamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01858408719372985035noreply@blogger.comBlogger29125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11828686.post-33651233365702285592012-12-13T20:17:17.864+00:002012-12-13T20:17:17.864+00:00I think First would have as much chance as PCB of ...I think First would have as much chance as PCB of becoming Plymouth's dominant operator. After all PCB ain't up to much themselves. If First put in the vehicles, with a strong marketing campaign (like the one currently in play in Portsmouth), launch a new network of simple high frequency cross city routes running late into the evenings and throughout Sundays they'd have a chance. Not to mention pitching fares at a low and simple level and paying a higher rate of pay than PCB. It may be a bit of a loss leader in its early days but it could shake up the current status.<br /><br />In the bus world if one operator can do something there's no reason why another cant match or better that. They just need the will to bring that success. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11828686.post-62882709533760203382012-12-13T08:59:49.193+00:002012-12-13T08:59:49.193+00:00* that was supposed to say "the next four yea...* that was supposed to say "the next four years". Not sure what happened there!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11828686.post-89242585285363311302012-12-13T08:58:47.013+00:002012-12-13T08:58:47.013+00:00Anon 20:52 - why should a relaunched Ugobus offens...Anon 20:52 - why should a relaunched Ugobus offensive work? They tried that a couple of years ago and it didn't work against a weakened council-owned Citybus that was up for sale. Why would it work next time against an invigorated Citybus under Go-Ahead? To be honest, as Go-Ahead is looking for a 43% increase in bus profits over the next fours, it's more likely that Go-Ahead would attack First.... or have they already started with Ivybridge? Go-Ahead is starting to flex its muscles elsewhere in the country too, whereas First really needs to sort out it's existing operations before trying to do anything clever.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11828686.post-70001176300722787602012-12-12T20:52:12.891+00:002012-12-12T20:52:12.891+00:00First have got some great buses in Southampton and...First have got some great buses in Southampton and Portsmouth and the Eclipse routes between Fareham and Gosport are some of the best you will see in the country. <br /><br />As for Plymouth, First appear to have reached a fork in the road. Will they invest in the fleet and expand in 2013? The current network looks too small surely for First to maintain it ticking along in its present state. The options as I see it are to either sell, and I would consider speed to be of the essence here if they are to ensure they have an asset worth selling. If they sell then for the city it needs to be to another big group to ensure there is the prospect of increased competition in the city. The other option is invest and expand their network with new routes that can cater for the gaps in PCB's offering. If I was First I'd choose the latter and mount a spring offensive rolling out a relaunched Ugobus network, but we will see.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11828686.post-15950177833523086372012-12-12T20:22:51.421+00:002012-12-12T20:22:51.421+00:00At anonymous 12.57, First Great Western tender is ...At anonymous 12.57, First Great Western tender is up for renewal due to their early termination of the Great Western Franchise. They may very well not get it upon retender, especially in light of the cock up on the West Coast Mainline, it could be another operator such as Arriva putting the pressure on with an extended Tavi railway line.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11828686.post-53142287996165810792012-12-12T12:57:51.284+00:002012-12-12T12:57:51.284+00:00I personally don't think they will up their ga...I personally don't think they will up their game with new rail line as it stands at the moment this would be operated by FIRST Great western, so why worry!!!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11828686.post-772655336662775652012-12-12T09:52:21.052+00:002012-12-12T09:52:21.052+00:00I find First are often a lot cheaper where they co...I find First are often a lot cheaper where they compete with Citybus..and Citybus were the original operator. Take Saltash as an example First are the original operator there and provide much more frequent service than Citybus, so if you want a return the extra 40p may be worth it!!!<br /><br />Where I am First are cheaper than Citybus...Target are the cheapest but with only 1 bus an hour not woth saving the 20p over First with a bus every 10 mins!!!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11828686.post-64548698232770080692012-12-12T08:39:04.365+00:002012-12-12T08:39:04.365+00:00What area are you in Anon (0730) where all three c...What area are you in Anon (0730) where all three cover you?<br /><br />Certainly can be Saltash where First is £1.25 more expensive than PCB.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11828686.post-59643211009902791982012-12-12T07:30:09.963+00:002012-12-12T07:30:09.963+00:00Agree with above... I was also lucky enough as so...Agree with above... I was also lucky enough as someone stated earlier to avoid First fare increase at start of 2012, so this will be my first increase since 2010, not bad considering the cost of fuel etc (not to mention pay rises etc and rightly so!!)<br /><br />In this time Plymouth Citybus have had 4 or 5 increases and Western Greyhound at least 5, so really cant moan... this makes First the cheapest of all 3 in my area and still will even after max 25p rise at start of January!!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11828686.post-28744603290990481992012-12-11T22:45:54.846+00:002012-12-11T22:45:54.846+00:00This is the first fare revision for 12 months with...This is the first fare revision for 12 months with First which is reasonable when you consider costs do increase. However western greyhound (who seem to be nearly gone bust) have put up fares 3 times in 10 months from January 2012 to October 2012. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11828686.post-49875524594097876352012-12-11T21:40:33.018+00:002012-12-11T21:40:33.018+00:00I'm just thinking along the lines of say in Es...I'm just thinking along the lines of say in Estover, who would you choose to buy a monthly period pass? (To clarify my above post I do not buy a period pass of any length as I don't have the use for one!)<br /><br />Quite a few people are working evenings now and say if you're employed in town, that'll instantly give you an answer. It immediately sends out a message in your head saying 'oh First aren't bothered, they're doing the bare minimum, what with no evening/Sunday service'. Their Ivybridge 88 is a different example - this has the potential to be a really useful service to the residents of Ivybridge, what are they using on it? Ex-Hong Kong R-reg SLFs. Imagine being at a bus stop in Ivybridge and the two came along at once - a tatty looking 14/15 year old SLF or a nice leather seat Enviro 200? <br /><br />(On a slightly more positive note that £32 monthly Plymstock ticket is excellent value! I'd certainly not want to increase the cost of that to above £35, if at all.)<br /><br />Perhaps I'm not the right person to comment as I've never used a First service as there aren't any in Plympton other than the every 2 hours 180 which realistically isn't a 'proper' Plympton service. Their 12 didn't serve my area as it was copying the main Plympton route, the 21. <br /><br />Other than the P&R Enviros, do First *currently* have any other 'nice' buses? Can't think of any off the top of my head. Tomnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11828686.post-48825918942979167502012-12-11T21:40:31.773+00:002012-12-11T21:40:31.773+00:00"perhaps First may up their game when the Dra..."perhaps First may up their game when the Drake rail line is extended from Bere Alston to Tavistock"<br /><br />I hope passengers don't have to wait that long!didbygrahamhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01858408719372985035noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11828686.post-37159544075047345002012-12-11T21:13:16.529+00:002012-12-11T21:13:16.529+00:00I agree with Tom, First buses are shoddy and down ...I agree with Tom, First buses are shoddy and down at the heal, even their new livery looks at best amateur. Citybus vehicles may be of similar ages, but they are well presented and tidy, this gives the impression that they are a professional outfit who know how to run buses. I am still under the impression that if the price was right First would pull out of Devon and Cornwall, they have got far too big with their concerns firmly laid with shareholders, trains and certainly not their passengers.<br />TaviLynx must be one of their most profitable routes and what do they service the route with?! Clapped out Volvo B6ble's with some new leather seating and that cant go up a slight incline at any more than 15mph! No wonder the A386 is so congested, there is no suitable alternative to the car, perhaps First may up their game when the Drake rail line is extended from Bere Alston to Tavistock.<br /><br />Give me a Citybus or Target Travel service anyday over a First one!!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11828686.post-84396396434658585932012-12-11T21:01:27.124+00:002012-12-11T21:01:27.124+00:00As I have a travel pass I am not really affected b...As I have a travel pass I am not really affected by these fares increases but when I have to pay for my son to travel with me its £2.65 return to town on the 15 and only £2.50 on Citybus - thats before the rise. didbygrahamhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01858408719372985035noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11828686.post-55833417640083205492012-12-11T20:45:53.226+00:002012-12-11T20:45:53.226+00:00I was told Citybus were doing the same!!! They do...I was told Citybus were doing the same!!! They don't allow railcard discount on Plus bus anymore anyway...so not much saving anyway!! I think day ticket with plusbus is £2.20 compsared to normal First Day ticket £3.40Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11828686.post-8709862723287523662012-12-11T19:07:02.911+00:002012-12-11T19:07:02.911+00:00Our driver told us tonight that First is also cons...Our driver told us tonight that First is also considering dropping PlusBus in Plymouth next year. Apparently due to a lack of use and funding / legal issues caused by the rail franchise problems of late.<br /><br />Can anyone else confirm this?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11828686.post-10505941923420203302012-12-11T12:05:42.119+00:002012-12-11T12:05:42.119+00:00Get this, a single on Citybus for me is £2.00. It&...Get this, a single on Citybus for me is £2.00. It's £3.25 on First!!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11828686.post-43398026450843274302012-12-11T12:01:50.376+00:002012-12-11T12:01:50.376+00:00My fare is currently 65p cheaper on Citybus, with ...My fare is currently 65p cheaper on Citybus, with this fare increase that will raise closer to 80/90p.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11828686.post-53311866259840100112012-12-11T11:22:07.630+00:002012-12-11T11:22:07.630+00:00If I were First I wopuld look to lower their fares...If I were First I wopuld look to lower their fares along Northern Corridor to take on Citybus 42's etc. Perpahps a slight reduction from Tavi to try and see off Jacketts before they get going and look after Plymstock!!!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11828686.post-45206462671603178102012-12-11T10:39:03.475+00:002012-12-11T10:39:03.475+00:00Got to say to be fair to First if my fare does go ...Got to say to be fair to First if my fare does go up this time (it didn't last time) ut will still only be the 2nd increase in over 3 years (nearer to 4). My citybus fare has gone up 4 times in that period. Hence my fare also would have to go up quite a bit to get anywhere near Citybus ones! Expect a fare increase from them in New Year???<br /><br />Also Season tickets are still way cheaper and longer on First as well.. so stop knocking them all the time... You would not have hal the swervice you have from Citybus if First were not here giving competeition and keeping fares down!! FACT!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11828686.post-35645192732022610752012-12-11T10:34:24.707+00:002012-12-11T10:34:24.707+00:00Sorry on previous I meant
Goldenhind to Mutley £2...Sorry on previous I meant<br /><br />Goldenhind to Mutley £2.80 Citybus. £2.20 First!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11828686.post-1275266238129431412012-12-11T10:32:46.415+00:002012-12-11T10:32:46.415+00:00ANOn 8:44 Try Goldenind to City £3 Citybus retu...ANOn 8:44 Try Goldenind to City £3 Citybus return, £2.70 First.<br /><br />Goldenhind to Mutley £2.20 Citybus Return, £2.20 First!<br /><br />It would have to go way above 25p extra to beat the latter in particular<br /><br />Also St Judes to City is about 40 - 50p on average Cheaper on First 5 than Citybus 23/24<br /><br />I believe areas along Barnebarton etc are cheaper on First 3 than Citybus 26 also!!!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11828686.post-34576891567297597392012-12-11T10:02:11.669+00:002012-12-11T10:02:11.669+00:00As has been said in the past, a First dayrider/sea...As has been said in the past, a First dayrider/season ticket has less 'value' if you work in the city, and while I believe First give you a full month not 28 days like Citybus, First run very few Sunday services, let alone evening services. Given their two recent strikes, their lack of service in the City, their shoddy old, tatty buses, they certainly wouldn't be getting my money for a period pass. All of it shows they're not committed to service at all, which is not something they want to be doing.Tomnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11828686.post-66818419775661135412012-12-11T09:54:31.408+00:002012-12-11T09:54:31.408+00:00Goodbye First. They can't compete when tickets...Goodbye First. They can't compete when tickets are the same prices as PCB. i.e, week ticket and dayrider.<br /><br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11828686.post-37502050106432069232012-12-11T09:52:41.534+00:002012-12-11T09:52:41.534+00:00Correct me if I'm wrong, but is this not the s...Correct me if I'm wrong, but is this not the same First Group that only very recently said that fare increases don't work anymore, and that they needed to find alternative methods to increase revenue!?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com