First is launching a complete overhaul of fares and tickets for its Southampton services, which will result in more than 60% of its customers seeing either a reduction or no change in the cost of their journeys.
From Saturday (8 February), there will only be six standard ticket prices for new fare zones, four of which are within the city area, which will be charged in multiples of 50p.
All adult return fares will now cost only £1 more than corresponding single fare, the cheapest single fare being £1 on one of Firsts busiest routes, Service 2 from Millbrook to Shirley.
The other significant change is on Service 11 to Weston where the single fare will go down from £2.35 to £2.
Child single fares will be 50p less than their adult equivalent fares. Child returns will be 50p more than for a single. There will be no changes to the price of day fares or period tickets.
The reason why we are doing this is because he fares system in Southampton had become increasingly complex and difficult for existing and potential customers to understand.
Our priority is always with our customers so introducing simpler fares will result in less hassle as the only coins they need for their journeys are multiples of 50p and £1.
This in turn will speed up journeys as neither they nor our drivers will have to worry about finding several different coins for their fares.
Nearly 63% of our customers will see either a reduction or no change to their fares.
There will be increases on some services, but with return fares only £1 more than single fares, bus travel in Southampton is now even better value for money.
All season ticket prices also remain the same and offer great value for our frequent travellers.
Sample adult fares include.
Millbrook to Shirley, Single £1, Return £2
Shirley to City Centre, Single £1.50, Return £2.50
Lords Hill to Southampton General Hospital, Single £1.50, Return £2.50
Millbrook to City Centre, Single £2, Return £3
Bitterne to City Centre, Single £2, Return £3
Thornhill to City Centre, Single £2, Return £3
Bitterne Park to City Centre, Single £2, Return £3
Witts Hill to City Centre, Single £2, Return £3
Weston to City Centre, Single £2, Return £3
Portswood to City Centre, Single £2, Return £3
Hamble to City Centre, Single £3.50, Return £4.50
Sample child fares (aged 5-16) include:
Millbrook to Shirley, Single £50p, Return £1
Shirley to City Centre, Single £1., Return £2
Lords Hill to Southampton General Hospital, Single £1, Return £1.50
Millbrook to City Centre, Single £1.50, Return £2
Bitterne to City Centre, Single £1.50, Return £2
Thornhill to City Centre, Single £1.50, Return £2
Bitterne Park to City Centre, Single £1.50, Return £2
Witts Hill to City Centre, Single £1.50, Return £2
Weston to City Centre, Single £1.50, Return £2
Portswood to City Centre, Single £1.50, Return £2
Hamble to City Centre, Single £3, Return £3.50
