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Why should we pay for free bus travel?
I AM very sorry if Cllr Margaret Clare, "Public transport is taken very seriously", (Saturday, March 1) is disappointed in my comments of my earlier letter.
The £7 million contribution from Bolton's council tax will be allocated to the funding of the concessionary free travel scheme for year 2008-9. I understood the bus element throughout England would be separately funded by central government.
However, while I appreciate we have a generous allowance that also includes free off-peak travel on local trains and trams throughout Greater Manchester, it comes at an expense to the ordinary full fare paying passenger, who in general continues to suffer fare increases and from poorly organised transport links within the Bolton area.
I am fully aware that a considerable amount is spent on subsidies to provide a number of local bus routes along with the local link service. Unfortunately, the latter does not operate earlier morning, evening or weekends, therefore adding to this, and part of Great Lever and Morris Green is poorly served.
I would suggest Cllr Clare and her colleagues at the GMPTE look again at the request to extend evening and Sunday services 571/2 to Hurlston Road, and the current timings. For instance, the Monday to Saturday daytime commercial services, operated by First Bus, allows 11 minutes to reach the timing points at either Higher Swan Lane or Rishton Lane. On Sundays and and in the evening (subsidised) services, it allows 13 minutes, at 43 and 13 minutes, past each hour respectively.
On many occasions there is a constant experience of early running by as much as seven minutes, therefore I ask the question as to how this would make the turnaround times at Bolton bus station unreliable?
Preva Crossley
Greater Manchester Transport Campaign
Roseneath Road
Great Lever
Bolton
4:12pm Wednesday 26th March 2008
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CommentPosted by: Bolton Reader, Bolton on 6:23pm Wed 26 Mar 08
The additional bus element to cover all England and Wales £10.5m is funded by Goverment see the leaflet sent out with the council tax bills.
Last year the bus companies managed to persuade the Dept for Transport that GMPTA/E was not paying enough for the concessionary fares and GMPTA/E had to pay more towards their profits. That resulted in higher concessionary fares (70p from 50p).
If the bus companies put revenue inspectors on the road on a daily basis they would pay for themselves and more besides as a result of misuse of passes, overiding, getting on at centre doors would hopefully be eleiminated. It is these so called fare paying passengers that are forcing fares up.
Preva should also widen his.her net to cover all of Bolton not just the Great Lever area if they want to be taken seriuosly
The additional bus element to cover all England and Wales £10.5m is funded by Goverment see the leaflet sent out with the council tax bills.
Last year the bus companies managed to persuade the Dept for Transport that GMPTA/E was not paying enough for the concessionary fares and GMPTA/E had to pay more towards their profits. That resulted in higher concessionary fares (70p from 50p).
If the bus companies put revenue inspectors on the road on a daily basis they would pay for themselves and more besides as a result of misuse of passes, overiding, getting on at centre doors would hopefully be eleiminated. It is these so called fare paying passengers that are forcing fares up.
Preva should also widen his.her net to cover all of Bolton not just the Great Lever area if they want to be taken seriuosly
Posted by: Breightmetblogger, bolton on 9:08am Thu 27 Mar 08
[italic]The £7 million contribution from Bolton's council tax will be allocated to the funding of the concessionary free travel scheme for year 2008-9. I understood the bus element throughout England would be separately funded by central government.[/italic]
Preva, your 2nd sentance is correct. Your first sentance is incorrect.
Cant add to what boltonreader has said.
The £7 million contribution from Bolton's council tax will be allocated to the funding of the concessionary free travel scheme for year 2008-9. I understood the bus element throughout England would be separately funded by central government.
Preva, your 2nd sentance is correct. Your first sentance is incorrect.
Cant add to what boltonreader has said.
Posted by: starspangledbanner, Little lever on 1:27pm Thu 27 Mar 08
its £14 fr a weekly bus saver with first bus or if you want to make a return trip to bolton - 3 miles away its £3.70 - and thats pricey
its £14 fr a weekly bus saver with first bus or if you want to make a return trip to bolton - 3 miles away its £3.70 - and thats pricey
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