(20 Oct 2022, 9:55 pm)mb134 wrote Just had a chance to go through these, and I genuinely think there are areas where they still don't go far enough.

I think the fare reductions during Covid were mistakes, and as such any increase now looks harsh given cost of living. This increase still doesn't put the fares as high as they arguably should be - the maximum single fare is still £1.10 lower than it was in 2021, despite soaring fuel costs, increasing wages etc. 

I still massively disagree with the 5-25 pricing bracket too. I understand those still in full time education receiving subsidised travel, but surely the best option is to implement student ticketing like most other operators and cap the "young person" ticketing at 18/19. Allowing, for example, 25 year olds in full time employment access to massively discounted travel seems mental from a business POV. 

I imagine some of the backlash (sorry, angry emoji reactions on FB) to the increase would have been avoided if the fares were not set unsustainably low in the first instance. I'd be tempted to say that there will be people at GNE who want to increase fares even further to align them with other companies in the region, and to help combat increasing running costs - but a hike that big is unrealistic in one go.

I think the logic behind it, is that it intends to dissuade young people from making the switch from bus to car at the earliest opportunity.

Being honest, if it was in place when I was that age, it may have had an impact on my decision to drive.
As it was, being on a low wage (minimum wage didn't exist then), it made more sense financially to learn to drive.

That being said, you can have the lowest fares in the world. But if the buses don't go where people need to be, don't connect or don't rock up etc etc. Then it makes absolutely no difference.

People will (and do) make the switch. Just like I did, Mrs Constantopolous did, eldest Constantopolous did (he's still eligible for those cheaper fares), Ma & Pa Constantopolous did (both grew up at two different locations and then bought a house when married, not far from the Durham Road corridor - which had a decent service even back then) and many others continue to do.