What impact do you think the fare cap will have? I notice that Travel Express (Let's Go) haven't signed up. Do you think this will take passengers off those operators who haven't signed up.
Looking at the list on gov.uk, i cant see Diamond on it either
You're correct yet smaller operations like Select Bus and Banga Bus are.
Is the £2 fare cap apply to all bus routes tgat a company run or will it be certain routes
Quote from: the trainbasher on December 19, 2022, 11:03:39 AMLooking at the list on gov.uk, i cant see Diamond on it either
None of the Rotala Diamond branded operations are in the country, but Preston bus is!
The fare cap applies to all public bus routes I understand, ie dedicated school services and special services (eg work services) are excluded. Long distance coach services are excluded too.
Note First Wyvern (First Midland Red) are also missing too.
Route One magazine reports today that the list of participating operators published by DfT is understood not to be complete, so more are likely to be added: -
https://www.route-one.net/news/over-130-operators-go-with-2-england-bus-fare-cap/ (https://www.route-one.net/news/over-130-operators-go-with-2-england-bus-fare-cap/)
I believe that the £2 cap applies to all bus routes, at any time, that participating operators run - as long as they are routes that accept ENCTS passes.
If I'm wrong please correct me!
Quote from: Rachvince53 on December 19, 2022, 02:47:56 PMThe fare cap applies to all public bus routes I understand, ie dedicated school services and special services (eg work services) are excluded. Long distance coach services are excluded too.
Note First Wyvern (First Midland Red) are also missing too.
Just checked and First Wyvern are there, it might be as more sign up the list is updated. If we TfWM and the Jan Changes these where updated as news came in on confirmed changes
It seems children fares on national express buses are also fozon at a pound
If Diamond don't sign up, how would this affect the partnership routes such as the 40
The list is certainly incomplete - Falcon Buses in Surrey have confirmed that they are taking part in the scheme despite their absence from the list!
In regards to exclusions, it appears operators can nominate some service exclusions as the Stagecoach South news article says the N1 and N700 night buses in Guildford and Brighton respectively are excluded, as also are the PT1-5 school buses in Guildford.
I would guess that the N bus routes you mention are night buses so ENCTS passes are not valid and hence excluded from the cap.
I would be surprised if Diamond are not taking part.
Quote from: Rachvince53 on December 19, 2022, 07:14:22 PMI would be surprised if Diamond are not taking part.
Apologies if already posted elsewhere on this forum, but Diamond have today put a statement on their website confirming that they won't be participating and their reasons why: https://www.diamondbuses.com/news/2-fare-cap-statement/
Quote from: Damo on December 22, 2022, 08:57:40 PMApologies if already posted elsewhere on this forum, but Diamond have today put a statement on their website confirming that they won't be participating and their reasons why: https://www.diamondbuses.com/news/2-fare-cap-statement/
Interesting wonder if andy Street will say anything
Perhaps but as mentioned in another post, participation is optional. It should also be noted that some Diamond multi journey tickets, eg West Midlands Daysaver, are similar prices to those of NXWM ie £4.
Quote from: Coventrybususer95 on December 22, 2022, 09:00:15 PMInteresting wonder if andy Street will say anything
Nothing to do with him, participation by operators is voluntary.
Quote from: Stu on December 23, 2022, 07:52:22 AMNothing to do with him, participation by operators is voluntary.
Diamond have summoned it up perfectly it's cheaper to buy their monthly pass.
Let's say you buy the monthly nBus at £58.00 which equates to £2.07p day and if you make six trips a day then it would equate to rough 0.34p a trip
QuoteDiamond have summoned it up perfectly it's cheaper to buy their monthly pass.
Let's say you buy the monthly nBus at £58.00 which equates to £2.07p day and if you make six trips a day then it would equate to rough 0.34p a trip
It is still good value, but very few people use a pass every day and even fewer make 6 journeys. You normally work it out a two journeys a day over 5 days a week
Quote from: Tony on December 29, 2022, 05:35:09 PMIt is still good value, but very few people use a pass every day and even fewer make 6 journeys. You normally work it out a two journeys a day over 5 days a week
I pay £50 a month for my NX monthly Faresaver (by direct debit). Works out to £1.64 a day. (12 x 50 divided by 364 days - can't be used on Christmas Day!)
I make two journeys a day Monday to Friday, and make occasional journeys over the weekend. So for me, it is fantastic value.
If I follow your formula (12 x 50 divided by 52 x 5, then divide again by 2), I make that £1.15 per weekday journey. :azn:
Quote from: Ginger66 on December 29, 2022, 05:19:41 PMDiamond have summoned it up perfectly it's cheaper to buy their monthly pass.
Let's say you buy the monthly nBus at £58.00 which equates to £2.07p day and if you make six trips a day then it would equate to rough 0.34p a trip
Indeed but this presumes everyone has the money to buy such passes, and effectively paying up front (and the operator getting prepayment).
The whole point of the £2 fare scheme is to bring additional people on the buses who want to pay as they use. That might not suit some firm's business models but that seems to be the point. And operators do get subsidised for it.
It remains to be seen whether Diamond's stance is a PR disaster and shepherding potential customers on to other operator's services, participating in the £2 journey scheme. It's all about helping the cost of living impact at the lower end of the income scale (though it might take income from period passes, people changing to pay as you go).
Do you think some operators will keep the fare at £2 per single journey after 31st march.
Quote from: Ginger66 on January 13, 2023, 08:42:23 PMDo you think some operators will keep the fare at £2 per single journey after 31st march.
No. There will be a return to previous fare levels in my opinion.
Quote from: Ginger66 on January 13, 2023, 08:42:23 PMDo you think some operators will keep the fare at £2 per single journey after 31st march.
Only the ones that want to end up going bust or into administration.
This £2 cap is apparently being extended for another three months:
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-64678990
Quote from: ellspurs on February 17, 2023, 05:09:37 PMThis £2 cap is apparently being extended for another three months:
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-64678990
Regarding the first month of the cap is there any indication passengers returning to use buses run by NX group.
Quote from: ellspurs on February 17, 2023, 05:09:37 PMThis £2 cap is apparently being extended for another three months:
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-64678990
Might want to inform national express as there website still says until march 31st
Quote from: Coventrybususer95 on February 20, 2023, 10:41:54 AMMight want to inform national express as there website still says until march 31st
Wasn't the extension announced on Friday afternoon.
Yes. However it takes a few days for the powers that be to update information on websites.
If NX goes on strike there's no benefit of the fare cap.
£2 bus fare cap to be extended to 31st October 2023 then for 13 months afterwards at £2.50
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/2-bus-fare-cap
Quote from: Uptight on May 17, 2023, 12:45:43 AM£2 bus fare cap to be extended to 31st October 2023 then for 13 months afterwards at £2.50
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/2-bus-fare-cap
What the government needs to do is get people back into work full time. i'm hybrid working meaning 3 days on site two working from home.
Quote from: Ginger66 on May 17, 2023, 05:01:38 AMWhat the government needs to do is get people back into work full time. i'm hybrid working meaning 3 days on site two working from home.
.....and ban working from home.....
As has been discussed before, this is a good, common sense move that will now give operators the opportunity to plan ahead for the next couple of years with at least one cost pressure taken care of.
Hopefully, many operators will also take the chance, in November this year, to rebuild good faith with the public after the issues of missing trips and unreliability, etc, by keeping their fares at £2 beyond that date - that would generate very good publicity and increase chances of maintaining passenger number increases.
Good news all round. But I have found that many potential passengers are still unaware of it. :shocked:
I made use of it for the first time yesterday. Newcastle upon Tyne to Beamish, absolute bargain as a Go-Ahead bus ticket gets you 5 pounds off the admission fee!
Will nx still offer the 2.40 single like previous or will they up it by 10p to 2.50 inline with what the govt have said?
Quote from: j789 on May 17, 2023, 12:40:29 PMAs has been discussed before, this is a good, common sense move that will now give operators the opportunity to plan ahead for the next couple of years with at least one cost pressure taken care of.
Except they won't... it will just kick the problem down the road and the begging bowl will come out in 2024 instead...
Quote from: Coventrybususer95 on May 17, 2023, 06:14:19 PMWill nx still offer the 2.40 single like previous or will they up it by 10p to 2.50 inline with what the govt have said?
Will they have to alter the £2.50 returns on Wa 31/32 as well?
Quote from: Coventrybususer95 on May 17, 2023, 06:14:19 PMWill nx still offer the 2.40 single like previous or will they up it by 10p to 2.50 inline with what the govt have said?
Quote from: Westy on May 17, 2023, 06:41:17 PMWill they have to alter the £2.50 returns on Wa 31/32 as well?
The government haven't said anything about increasing bus fares.
This just means that from November, the max fare cap rises to £2.50. It only applies to single journey fares, not returns.
Bus fares are expected to remain frozen until 2025, so all this means is that the price of a single ticket will revert back to £2.40. Therefore the fare capping scheme effectively ends in the West Midlands.
Quote.....and ban working from home.....
That's all well and good, but what about those who have to work from home due to medical conditions?
Quote from: Straightlines on May 17, 2023, 06:36:58 PMExcept they won't... it will just kick the problem down the road and the begging bowl will come out in 2024 instead...
Well would you rather those projected 15-20% of route cuts were made now then rather than giving it another 18 month to at least make some of them financially viable?
Also, this scheme has led to passenger increases, ask any major operator (by some accounts some areas quite significantly too). These returning/new passengers may just make those borderline services viable in the future. It's worth a shot as there is no alternative except large cuts in service which benefits no one.
Quote from: Stu on May 17, 2023, 07:17:59 PMThe government haven't said anything about increasing bus fares.
This just means that from November, the max fare cap rises to £2.50. It only applies to single journey fares, not returns.
Bus fares are expected to remain frozen until 2025, so all this means is that the price of a single ticket will revert back to £2.40. Therefore the fare capping scheme effectively ends in the West Midlands.
Unless of course the increase in paying passenger numbers from this scheme makes it viable to keep the fares at a flat £2. This probably isn't feasible for long distance or rural routes but urban areas could/should allow this hopefully.
Quote from: Stu on May 17, 2023, 07:17:59 PMThe government haven't said anything about increasing bus fares.
This just means that from November, the max fare cap rises to £2.50. It only applies to single journey fares, not returns.
Bus fares are expected to remain frozen until 2025, so all this means is that the price of a single ticket will revert back to £2.40. Therefore the fare capping scheme effectively ends in the West Midlands.
How is the government subsidy working for this? Are the companies that are charging the most extortionate fares getting more in payment from the subsidy, or is it a set amount per service. Also, when the fares go up in November, does that mean that the TfWM region loses out on the money as their cap is lower than the government applied cap?
Quote from: j789 on May 17, 2023, 07:53:49 PMUnless of course the increase in paying passenger numbers from this scheme makes it viable to keep the fares at a flat £2. This probably isn't feasible for long distance or rural routes but urban areas could/should allow this hopefully.
I think that's unlikely to be honest, there have already been 'noises' from operators like Diamond about the viability of commercially-operated bus services, and NX are probably struggling too though less publicly.
Hopefully the scheme has been encouraging new bus users to travel more frequently, and those who make more than one journey a day have probably already found that a day ticket works out just as cheap, and its even better value for those contactless 'tap-and-go' users with fares capped at 3 and 5 day rates. If these 'new' bus users carry on using the bus, and encourage others they know to do the same, then the scheme has served its purpose here.
Quote from: ellspurs on May 17, 2023, 08:01:23 PMHow is the government subsidy working for this? Are the companies that are charging the most extortionate fares getting more in payment from the subsidy, or is it a set amount per service. Also, when the fares go up in November, does that mean that the TfWM region loses out on the money as their cap is lower than the government applied cap?
I don't know exactly how the subsidy/funding structure works for this, but I do note Diamond's initial reluctance to participate due to concerns about remuneration.
Fares aren't increasing in November, just the cap amount set by the Government.
If the maximum single fare in the West Midlands is £2.40 (as set by TfWM), then it is logical to assume that West Midlands bus operators are no longer eligible for support funding if the Government increases the fare cap to £2.50.
Quote from: the trainbasher on May 17, 2023, 07:49:38 PMThat's all well and good, but what about those who have to work from home due to medical conditions?
You mean all the ones with bad backs due to working from home? See a recent report!
Apparently I was on BBC news this morning when they ran this story. I haven't seen it yet as I am on holiday
The fares cap is going to be increased from £2 to £3. This will be announced at the next budget.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cy0l99xz719o
Quote from: Jay71 on October 28, 2024, 12:43:51 PMThe fares cap is going to be increased from £2 to £3. This will be announced at the next budget.
Nx have already said there fairs for 2025 will be better £2.90
Quote from: wembley86 on October 28, 2024, 12:55:32 PMNx have already said there fairs for 2025 will be better £2.90
I must tell the BBC that they're printing lies on bbc.co.uk/news. . When I read the article about that thirty mins ago £3 was the stated figure
Quote from: Jay71 on October 28, 2024, 01:01:41 PMI must tell the BBC that they're printing lies on bbc.co.uk/news. . When I read the article about that thirty mins ago £3 was the stated figure
the clue is in the word cap. The fares will be capped at £3, so if a specific operator wishes to charge less then thats upto them
Just been on 4889 on the 14 onboard notice says due to the ending of the government fare cap the NXWM/NXC single fare will rise to £2.50 from Sunday 5th January 2025.
There will be no other fare changes on this day.
Also notices on there regarding 5th January stop/service changes on there.
Quote from: 2206 on December 14, 2024, 10:17:07 PMJust been on 4889 on the 14 onboard notice says due to the ending of the government fare cap the NXWM/NXC single fare will rise to £2.50 from Sunday 5th January 2025.
There will be no other fare changes on this day.
Also up today regarding 5th January stop/service changes on there.
It has been reported as £2.90 on the website (https://nxbus.co.uk/west-midlands/news/single-fare-change-from-sunday-5th-january-2025) and in the media.
It says on the website "£2.90, which is cheaper than the governments £3", which is a stupid flex
Some news reports are a bit misleading in my opinion.
The single fare in the West Midlands actually increased to £2.90 back in June this year, at the same time as other tickets went up in price.
So technically bus operators - not just NX as is being reported widely by the media - aren't increasing their price, its just that the fare cap is being raised to £3, so the price of a single ticket is just reverting back to what it should be.
Sadly the media are doing little to mention that other ticket prices are staying the same, and that day/week/month tickets are much better value for money for people who travel regularly by bus anyway.
Quote from: Stu on December 15, 2024, 01:48:23 PMSome news reports are a bit misleading in my opinion.
The single fare in the West Midlands actually increased to £2.90 back in June this year, at the same time as other tickets went up in price.
So technically bus operators - not just NX as is being reported widely by the media - aren't increasing their price, its just that the fare cap is being raised to £3, so the price of a single ticket is just reverting back to what it should be.
Sadly the media are doing little to mention that other ticket prices are staying the same, and that day/week/month tickets are much better value for money for people who travel regularly by bus anyway.
Hardly misleading... looking at it from a customer perspective rather than an anorak's one, the customer currently pays £2 and from the New Year will be paying £2.90!
Quote from: Straightlines on December 15, 2024, 09:59:14 PMHardly misleading... looking at it from a customer perspective rather than an anorak's one, the customer currently pays £2 and from the New Year will be paying £2.90!
Very few, just those who insist on using cash for single journey fares when a day ticket or capping is cheaper, or who only make one journey in a day, which is unusual as miat make a return journey
Quote from: Tony on December 15, 2024, 10:16:01 PMVery few, just those who insist on using cash for single journey fares when a day ticket or capping is cheaper, or who only make one journey in a day, which is unusual as miat make a return journey
Still influences that market and probably the customers most vulnerable to the increase.
I understand that it doesn't make financial sense to do so but I think now would be an appropriate time to bring back the short hop, perhaps at the higher price of £2 rather than £1.50 for those who really are just using the bus for really short journeys.
Quote from: bususer28 on December 15, 2024, 10:31:40 PMI understand that it doesn't make financial sense to do so but I think now would be an appropriate time to bring back the short hop, perhaps at the higher price of £2 rather than £1.50 for those who really are just using the bus for really short journeys.
But surely people would cheat by riding past their stop?
Quote from: bususer28 on December 15, 2024, 10:31:40 PMI understand that it doesn't make financial sense to do so but I think now would be an appropriate time to bring back the short hop, perhaps at the higher price of £2 rather than £1.50 for those who really are just using the bus for really short journeys.
No, it was abused by many who beyond where they said they were going
Quote from: bususer28 on December 15, 2024, 10:31:40 PMI understand that it doesn't make financial sense to do so but I think now would be an appropriate time to bring back the short hop, perhaps at the higher price of £2 rather than £1.50 for those who really are just using the bus for really short journeys.
I agree!
Kids daysavers and student tickets will be even more popular come jan 5th
https://x.com/RichParkerLab/status/1868660340902531486
As far as I am aware, Transport for West Midlands already "took control" of bus fares, when operator-only tickets were scrapped and replaced with nBus, and it is TfWM who set the maximum single fare, in consultation with all bus operators, not just National Express.
I see this statement from Richard Parker as a bit dishonest, as it was TfWM who increased the single fare to £2.90 back in June, when other nBus prices increased.
Mark my words, this is just the start of a propaganda exercise, designed to soften up and condition people into becoming "pro-franchising".
Quote from: Stu on December 16, 2024, 08:50:23 PMhttps://x.com/RichParkerLab/status/1868660340902531486
As far as I am aware, Transport for West Midlands already "took control" of bus fares, when operator-only tickets were scrapped and replaced with nBus, and it is TfWM who set the maximum single fare, in consultation with all bus operators, not just National Express.
I see this statement from Richard Parker as a bit dishonest, as it was TfWM who increased the single fare to £2.90 back in June, when other nBus prices increased.
Mark my words, this is just the start of a propaganda exercise, designed to soften up and condition people into becoming "pro-franchising".
Indeed, misleading to put it mildly.
Unfortunately I can't see the replies as I binned off twitter when Musk wrecked it but I am sure our on-the-ball local media will hold his claims to account. Yeah, right.
Quote from: cardew on December 17, 2024, 07:57:51 AMIndeed, misleading to put it mildly.
Unfortunately I can't see the replies as I binned off twitter when Musk wrecked it but I am sure our on-the-ball local media will hold his claims to account. Yeah, right.
Only the other day he was in Walsall or Wolverhampton he always seem to be at one of them in the Paper speaking to people about Franchising, a couple of days this is announced, he certainly has a tendency to be in the right place at the right time, Stand outside a bus station speak to mostly Older folk about Franchising two days later Express Dissapointment at the price of a single going up, but hang on his government has put it up to £3 it's now £2.90 10p less than the government cap which Idk Andy Burnham might use, so actually Richard mate it's below the National Average, you probably also did nothing to keep prices frozen as NX has only ever put up the Single Fare and Daysaver inline with National and Local changes. But Politicians always do this and sadly people believe it
Quote from: Stu on December 16, 2024, 08:50:23 PMhttps://x.com/RichParkerLab/status/1868660340902531486
As far as I am aware, Transport for West Midlands already "took control" of bus fares, when operator-only tickets were scrapped and replaced with nBus, and it is TfWM who set the maximum single fare, in consultation with all bus operators, not just National Express.
I see this statement from Richard Parker as a bit dishonest, as it was TfWM who increased the single fare to £2.90 back in June, when other nBus prices increased.
Mark my words, this is just the start of a propaganda exercise, designed to soften up and condition people into becoming "pro-franchising".
They took control over most bus fares not all, single tickets are still decided by the operator.
For TFWM Rotue Tenders, single ticket prices are not allowed to exceed the 'dominant operator' price however (NX)
Walsall Community Transport has £3.00 adult return, £1.00 child single ext
Diamond will also be changing their fares to the £3 cap.
Richard Parker does not like NX.
Quote from: ellspurs on December 17, 2024, 04:31:28 PMDiamond will also be changing their fares to the £3 cap.
Richard Parker does not like NX.
I'm presuming they will be £3 on services in the Kidderminster, Redditch, Tamworth & Burton areas? But you'd expect they'd keep it at £2.90 for journeys in the WM area?
Bar the 51/57/58 which are going to have a £2.50 special as well.
https://www.diamondbuses.com/news/ww-fare-cap-and-fare-changes/
So a Richard can be called Dick by all accounts. Seems rather apt in this case!!!
Typical political idiot spouting untruths. Labour could have held the fare cap at £2 if they really had wanted to. It's not the operators fault this government is proving so inept.
Quote from: j789 on December 17, 2024, 05:01:13 PMSo a Richard can be called Dick by all accounts. Seems rather apt in this case!!!
Typical political idiot spouting untruths. Labour could have held the fare cap at £2 if they really had wanted to. It's not the operators fault this government is proving so inept.
Metro mayors also have the choice to do it as well, several other Metro Mayors are keeping the £2 cap
Quote from: Tony on December 17, 2024, 05:17:09 PMMetro mayors also have the choice to do it as well, several other Metro Mayors are keeping the £2 cap
Exactly, and I believe the mayors of not-yet-franchised Liverpool and West Yorkshire are using BSIP funds to finance it and even then only confirmed it until the end of March.
Also was the single ticket price £2.40 when the previous government introduced the cap? If so £2.90 is probably an accurate reflection of inflation since then.
Quote from: 2206 on December 17, 2024, 04:36:28 PMI'm presuming they will be £3 on services in the Kidderminster, Redditch, Tamworth & Burton areas? But you'd expect they'd keep it at £2.90 for journeys in the WM area?
Bar the 51/57/58 which are going to have a £2.50 special as well.
https://www.diamondbuses.com/news/ww-fare-cap-and-fare-changes/
When I looked at Diamond's website yesterday, West Midlands was listed under the £3 fare. It seems they've updated it since then to change the West Midlands to £2.90.
Quote from: cardew on December 17, 2024, 05:30:18 PMExactly, and I believe the mayors of not-yet-franchised Liverpool and West Yorkshire are using BSIP funds to finance it and even then only confirmed it until the end of March.
Also was the single ticket price £2.40 when the previous government introduced the cap? If so £2.90 is probably an accurate reflection of inflation since then.
It was £2.40 when the cap was introduced, then at some point - I don't recall exactly when - it increased to £2.70, and then increased to £2.90 in June this year.
Quote from: cardew on December 17, 2024, 05:30:18 PMExactly, and I believe the mayors of not-yet-franchised Liverpool and West Yorkshire are using BSIP funds to finance it and even then only confirmed it until the end of March.
Also was the single ticket price £2.40 when the previous government introduced the cap? If so £2.90 is probably an accurate reflection of inflation since then.
Are they? That's interesting thought it was limited to franchised London/Manc, if they are we should 100% get it too
Can we afford it though, surley he 2nd biggest city gets some sort of funding compared to other reigons?
Quote from: LD713821 on December 17, 2024, 07:01:53 PMAre they? That's interesting thought it was limited to franchised London/Manc, if they are we should 100% get it too
Can we afford it though, surley he 2nd biggest city gets some sort of funding compared to other reigons?
I recall reading it but of course their arrangements could be set up differently to those in WM. It's clearly a complicated situation
Quote from: LD713821 on December 17, 2024, 04:08:08 PMThey took control over most bus fares not all, single tickets are still decided by the operator.
For TFWM Rotue Tenders, single ticket prices are not allowed to exceed the 'dominant operator' price however (NX)
Walsall Community Transport has £3.00 adult return, £1.00 child single ext
As far as I am aware, for several years now it is TfWM who sets the 'maximum single fare' and this is of course done through consulting with bus operators. Presumably with NX Bus as the 'dominant' operator, they are probably the one that has more sway.
Operators could of course charge less if they wish, however since operator-only tickets were abolished and replaced with nBus, I assume that all operators are expected to charge the same single fare.
Quote from: ellspurs on December 17, 2024, 04:31:28 PMRichard Parker does not like NX.
That has become increasingly clear. Expect his axe to grind even further as the franchising consultation progresses.
Quote from: Tony on December 17, 2024, 05:17:09 PMMetro mayors also have the choice to do it as well, several other Metro Mayors are keeping the £2 cap
Quote from: LD713821 on December 17, 2024, 07:01:53 PMAre they? That's interesting thought it was limited to franchised London/Manc, if they are we should 100% get it too
Can we afford it though, surley he 2nd biggest city gets some sort of funding compared to other reigons?
Quote from: cardew on December 17, 2024, 07:12:44 PMI recall reading it but of course their arrangements could be set up differently to those in WM. It's clearly a complicated situation
It's to do with 'funding streams'. Metro regions that are keeping the £2 cap will be paying for it out of their own funding, or through a 'mayoral precept' on residents council tax bills.
Andy Street, when he was mayor, declined the opportunity to add this precept to our council tax bills.
There probably is enough money to fund a £2 fare cap here, but then Mr Parker wouldn't have the money to fund his franchising dream.
Quote from: Stu on December 17, 2024, 07:52:59 PMIt's to do with 'funding streams'. Metro regions that are keeping the £2 cap will be paying for it out of their own funding, or through a 'mayoral precept' on residents council tax bills.
Andy Street, when he was mayor, declined the opportunity to add this precept to our council tax bills.
There probably is enough money to fund a £2 fare cap here, but then Mr Parker wouldn't have the money to fund his franchising dream.
What is also interesting is millions of TfWM money goes out of the WM
-the christmas free bus travel funded all NX routes (including outside of nBus) so people of Leamington Spa, Bromsgrove & Cannock got benefits from money which is meant to be for us
-stagecoach leamington got their hands on loads of electric buses (yes obviously for the coventry bus project) but do they need loads of them as they only run a few routes in coventry, bustimes show there are loads on routes that dont or barely go into Coventry Zone
Quote from: ellspurs on December 17, 2024, 04:31:28 PMRichard Parker does not like NX.
Not sure what there is to like if I'm honest!
Quote from: LD713821 on December 17, 2024, 08:04:28 PMWhat is also interesting is millions of TfWM money goes out of the WM
-the christmas free bus travel funded all NX routes (including outside of nBus) so people of Leamington Spa, Bromsgrove & Cannock got benefits from money which is meant to be for us
-stagecoach leamington got their hands on loads of electric buses (yes obviously for the coventry bus project) but do they need loads of them as they only run a few routes in coventry, bustimes show there are loads on routes that dont or barely go into Coventry Zone
With regards to Stagecoach, they also received ZEBRA funding from Warwickshire County Council, not related to the Coventry electric bus city project. Also they would have been expected to make their own contribution financially, it's not like they've been given money 'for free'.
As long as all their buses that travel in and out of Coventry are electric, then any that are spare can be used elsewhere.
Quote from: Straightlines on December 17, 2024, 08:34:10 PMNot sure what there is to like if I'm honest!
You've been making your own anti-NX feelings known on this forum for some time.
Quote from: Stu on December 17, 2024, 08:37:04 PMYou've been making your own anti-NX feelings known on this forum for some time.
Quite - You've been making your pro-NX feelings on this forum for some time.
Quote from: cardew on December 17, 2024, 07:57:51 AMUnfortunately I can't see the replies as I binned off twitter when Musk wrecked it but I am sure our on-the-ball local media will hold his claims to account. Yeah, right.
No chance of that really, local journalists just simply parrot and repeat whatever press release they are given, and they dare not do their own investigations or at bare-minimum 'fact check' anything.
The simple fact is that the single fare on all bus services in the West Midlands is going to be £2.90 from next month, and not just those operated by NX Bus.
Yet somehow NX Bus are being scapegoated by Parker and the local media, despite the fact that it is the current Labour government who have raised the fare cap to £3.
I try to avoid playing the 'party politics' game, but I can see what is going on and I don't like it one bit.
Quote from: Straightlines on December 17, 2024, 08:39:27 PMQuite - You've been making your pro-NX feelings on this forum for some time.
On the contrary, criticism is fair when it is justified, and I have criticised NX when I have felt it was warranted.
Quote from: Stu on December 17, 2024, 08:54:46 PMNo chance of that really, local journalists just simply parrot and repeat whatever press release they are given, and they dare not do their own investigations or at bare-minimum 'fact check' anything.
The simple fact is that the single fare on all bus services in the West Midlands is going to be £2.90 from next month, and not just those operated by NX Bus.
Yet somehow NX Bus are being scapegoated by Parker and the local media, despite the fact that it is the current Labour government who have raised the fare cap to £3.
I try to avoid playing the 'party politics' game, but I can see what is going on and I don't like it one bit.
I think our biggest thing that needs sorting is the Trains, then the Metro it used to be every 7 or 8 minutes why is it now every 10 are they still down trams, do they Really need these new extensions if the current service is down from 2019, Buses are the saviours when those two things go wrong, Mr Parker and the Labour Party are really not popular, people voted for them as they probably didn't think the Lib Dems who in theory we should have all voted for would have ever got power and I ay gonna think about a Nigel Farage led country, and no one was going to vote Tory after what they did, sadly we are stuck with this now for 5 years, by the time assuming Labour don't win again the new government's and Mayor's come into power the countries Transport will be ruined, our franchising system will be a mess and have no doubt put up fares to cover silly costs, cut services, put everyone's Council tax bills up, meanwhile the reliability he promised is no where to be seen and Buses will actually be more unreliable, this is why I will be learning how to drive next year so I can avoid this mess, the only time I will use Buses, is someone asks me to do the shopping and I want to avoid car parking charges, or I go on a night out or coming back from the Football after a couple of pints, although that will only be weekends due to working in the week so maybe once a week I might use the bus to save walking back, that's if I don't get a lift
Quote from: Stu on December 17, 2024, 07:52:59 PMIt's to do with 'funding streams'. Metro regions that are keeping the £2 cap will be paying for it out of their own funding, or through a 'mayoral precept' on residents council tax bills.
Andy Street, when he was mayor, declined the opportunity to add this precept to our council tax bills.
There probably is enough money to fund a £2 fare cap here, but then Mr Parker wouldn't have the money to fund his franchising dream.
Thanks for that clear explanation
Quote from: Stu on December 17, 2024, 08:54:46 PMNo chance of that really, local journalists just simply parrot and repeat whatever press release they are given, and they dare not do their own investigations or at bare-minimum 'fact check' anything.
The simple fact is that the single fare on all bus services in the West Midlands is going to be £2.90 from next month, and not just those operated by NX Bus.
Yet somehow NX Bus are being scapegoated by Parker and the local media, despite the fact that it is the current Labour government who have raised the fare cap to £3.
I try to avoid playing the 'party politics' game, but I can see what is going on and I don't like it one bit.
I added a comment on his post saying his anti NX Bus bias continues; NX Bus had a fare freeze for a while; all local operators charged £2.40 prior to the £2 cap and will be increasing their fares shortly.
Diamond are also raising to £2.90, just announced - it is NOT an NX thing quite clearly, but I doubt Parker will go after Diamond for it.
Quote from: B7RLE on December 19, 2024, 03:28:35 PMDiamond are also raising to £2.90, just announced - it is NOT an NX thing quite clearly, but I doubt Parker will go after Diamond for it.
Politician's gonna politic
Quote from: jasmine on December 19, 2024, 05:29:15 PMPolitician's gonna politic
The Lib Dem leader at BCC is playing 'political football'. And the media aren't helping with another misleading headline.
Birmingham bus fare rises higher than London and Manchester - everything you need to knowQuoteLiberal Democrat Leader for Birmingham, councillor Roger Harmer said: "Yet again, Birmingham residents are getting the rough end of the stick under a Labour Government and a Labour controlled council.
"Nationally Labour have brought us the winter fuel payment cancellation and they have maintained the two-child benefit cap. Locally they have brought financial mismanagement on an unprecedented scale with reduced services and council tax up by 21 per cent over two years.
"Now, residents are facing a 45 per cent increase to a single bus fare. Bus use in this region is already in decline. This increase in bus charges will further discourage people from taking the bus which could lead to our roads becoming even more congested."
https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/news/midlands-news/birmingham-bus-fare-rises-higher-30702824
Bus fares are nothing to do with the city council. And if he wants to have a swipe at the Labour government, why not point out that it is they who increased the cap to £3, which is why our single fare is going up?
Quote from: Stu on January 05, 2025, 09:57:47 AMThe Lib Dem leader at BCC is playing 'political football'. And the media aren't helping with another misleading headline.
Birmingham bus fare rises higher than London and Manchester - everything you need to know
https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/news/midlands-news/birmingham-bus-fare-rises-higher-30702824
Bus fares are nothing to do with the city council. And if he wants to have a swipe at the Labour government, why not point out that it is they who increased the cap to £3, which is why our single fare is going up?
Isn't it the same Labour Party that runs the country (badly) also running Birmingham (badly)?