University bus service drives ticket prices down

Press release issued: 8 March 2013

Bristol Mayor George Ferguson has launched a new bus tariff which will cut the cost of bus travel for people across the city. The Wessex Red service, run in partnership with the University of Bristol and UWE Bristol but can be used by anyone, now costs £1 for a three-stop journey.

The Wessex Red service, run in partnership with the University of Bristol and UWE Bristol but can be used by anyone, now costs £1 for a three-stop journey.

Mr Ferguson was the first to get on board with the new ‘3 stop rider’ fare and welcomed the move, saying it reflected his desire to make sure low-cost travel was available to everyone.

Wessex Red operates nine routes across Bristol, with the latest additions being the 13 service from Broadmead to Bradley Stoke via Fishponds and the 19 service from the centre to Filton via Cotham.

Tony Clayton, Sustainability Manager for Transport at the University of Bristol, said: “These lower prices will hopefully encourage people to use the Wessex Red bus service more and leave the car at home. It’s not just a service for students – everyone in the city can jump on board and benefit from cheaper travel across the city.”

Short journeys of three stops or less will cost £1, any single journey will cost £2 and an all-day travel card is £3.

Mayor George Ferguson said: “I am delighted that the University of Bristol, UWE Bristol and Wessex Red have responded so positively to our ambition to get fares down for the people of Bristol. We need to sort out our public transport by working together to ensure safe, reliable and low cost travel is available to all. This ‘3 stop rider’ initiative is hitting the right buttons and will, I am sure, make a big difference to bus passengers who have been paying above the odds for too long."

Steve Ward, Travel Planner at UWE Bristol said: “Any member of the public can now make a short journey for just £1 cash. Using our services is now as easy as 1-2-3: £1 for a short journey, £2 for any other single journey, and £3 for all-day travel. We are responding to the Bristol Mayor’s aim to see lower fares and higher quality buses in Bristol and look forward to continuing to grow our services in the city.”

Full details of Wessex Red routes and prices are available from www.wessexred.co.uk. Staff and students are entitled to buy travel passes and season tickets. For more information, please see here.