News / Transport
‘We need next mayor to challenge First Bus’
Dan Farr, the man behind the Bristol bus campaign which saw a fares overhaul, is endorsing Mark Bradshaw for mayor. He explains how whoever is elected needs to challenge First Bus.
Whoever becomes the next Mayor needs to do more to improve the public transport and get more people out of their cars.
Bus usage has risen following my campaign that got fares reduced and work by the Bristol Bus Users website that improved fare transparency.
However, despite this, Bristol still remains one of the most congested cities in the UK. Too many people choose to use their cars because they do not trust First Buses that often arrive late or fail to turn up
The problem is First dominates the market. In 2011 they accounted for 88 per cent of all bus journeys.
This means First knows it can get away with providing second class service, because most bus users have got no choice but to use their buses. We need more competition in order to drive up standards and drive down prices.
I would like to see the next mayor introduce quality contracts or quality partnerships that would give the council more power over bus timetables and fares. I also want our future mayor to work closely with the other local authorities so we have fully joined up public transport across the whole region.
They also need to look at improving bus transit times by taking radical steps that London and New York have taken.
Ideas like introducing no cash payments so you either buy a smart card before boarding the bus or you pay using a contact less direct debit card.
This would stop the buses wasting time and fuel parked at bus stops while people try to find the correct change.
I know Mark is willing to listen to new ideas and I know how determined he is to further improve our public transport.
That is why I believe that Mark Bradshaw is the best choice to be Bristol’s next Mayor and why I am endorsing his candidacy.
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