Paying more, for less?
Once again customers are facing an increase in public transport fares. Over the last few years, people have been paying more to use public transport. Is this because drivers want bigger pay cheques? Fuel prices going up? Or is it because Warrington network are just getting greedy?
Not only are fares going up but we are now getting less for our money. Services are being reduced over the network. The number 19, which no longer runs to Leigh, has stopped running after 7pm. This means that customers can not travel further than Culcheth. If they wish to travel to Leigh they must use a different service. As a consequence customers are waiting longer for busses and their journey time is increased.
How does this effect daily users of network Warrington? We asked daily customers of network Warrington some questions.
How are you affected by the fares increase?
“Prices for the bus have gone up over the last 3 years that means it costs me £58.50 a year more than it did 3 years ago.”
How do you feel about the fares increase?
“It is annoying that bus fares keep going up because people can’t afford the increases.”
Do the reduced services affect you?
“Yes they do. On Friday night I had to wait longer for the bus because the 19 has stopped running after 7pm.”
We asked Network Warrington some questions over e-mail. This was Network Warrington’s response.
Why have the bus fares increased?
Rising costs, reduced patronage and reduced support from Government for Bus Transport have led to this fare increase which is key for the sustainability of the company.
Why have some services been reduced? For example the number 19 no longer runs to Leigh after 19:00?
Service reductions have been made in reaction to reduced demand.
Do you plan on increasing fares any higher?
Every aspect of the company is always under review.
Do you plan on reducing anymore services?
Every aspect of the company is always under review – if we have reduced patronage there is less revenue coming in, so costs must be taken out of the business accordingly.
Are there any plans to reduce fares in the future?
We do not plan to reduce any fares.
Will the number 19 service ever run to Leigh after 19:00?
There is no need for it as there is a Service 28 -there is insufficient patronage to run services- the 19 and 28 to Leigh was a tendered service by Transport for Greater Manchester – they have done a thorough review and the patronage only demands one bus – there is a tender provided by councils if there is a ‘social need’ – if this was not a tendered service, it would not be running as the patronage is too low for a bus company to even break even.
Although we are pleased that Network Warrington have responded to our questions, we are still disappointed that the reduced services and increase in fares means that we are restricted in where we travel. We feel we are paying more, for less.
By Thomas, Calum and Alex
Once again customers are facing an increase in public transport fares. Over the last few years, people have been paying more to use public transport. Is this because drivers want bigger pay cheques? Fuel prices going up? Or is it because Warrington network are just getting greedy?
Not only are fares going up but we are now getting less for our money. Services are being reduced over the network. The number 19, which no longer runs to Leigh, has stopped running after 7pm. This means that customers can not travel further than Culcheth. If they wish to travel to Leigh they must use a different service. As a consequence customers are waiting longer for busses and their journey time is increased.
How does this effect daily users of network Warrington? We asked daily customers of network Warrington some questions.
How are you affected by the fares increase?
“Prices for the bus have gone up over the last 3 years that means it costs me £58.50 a year more than it did 3 years ago.”
How do you feel about the fares increase?
“It is annoying that bus fares keep going up because people can’t afford the increases.”
Do the reduced services affect you?
“Yes they do. On Friday night I had to wait longer for the bus because the 19 has stopped running after 7pm.”
We asked Network Warrington some questions over e-mail. This was Network Warrington’s response.
Why have the bus fares increased?
Rising costs, reduced patronage and reduced support from Government for Bus Transport have led to this fare increase which is key for the sustainability of the company.
Why have some services been reduced? For example the number 19 no longer runs to Leigh after 19:00?
Service reductions have been made in reaction to reduced demand.
Do you plan on increasing fares any higher?
Every aspect of the company is always under review.
Do you plan on reducing anymore services?
Every aspect of the company is always under review – if we have reduced patronage there is less revenue coming in, so costs must be taken out of the business accordingly.
Are there any plans to reduce fares in the future?
We do not plan to reduce any fares.
Will the number 19 service ever run to Leigh after 19:00?
There is no need for it as there is a Service 28 -there is insufficient patronage to run services- the 19 and 28 to Leigh was a tendered service by Transport for Greater Manchester – they have done a thorough review and the patronage only demands one bus – there is a tender provided by councils if there is a ‘social need’ – if this was not a tendered service, it would not be running as the patronage is too low for a bus company to even break even.
Although we are pleased that Network Warrington have responded to our questions, we are still disappointed that the reduced services and increase in fares means that we are restricted in where we travel. We feel we are paying more, for less.
By Thomas, Calum and Alex