A flat fare for bus journeys all across Glasgow could be introduced in the next two years it was revealed today.
A flat fare for bus journeys all across Glasgow could be introduced in the next two years it was revealed today.
Bus boss Mark Savelli has promised to look at scrapping the current complicated fares structure in favour of a citywide universal charge.
The pledge is a major boost to the Evening Times' Get Glasgow Moving campaign, which aims to unclog the city's gridlocked streets.
During our campaign we highlighted how people - especially visitors - were put off using public transport because they had no idea what the fare was and were then forced to rummage for change when they found it was 97p or £1.35.
Today Mr Savelli made the flat fare pledge - £1 or £1.50 - after one of our readers again highlighted the issue.
Passenger Dave Holladay wrote to our Letters Page pleading with Mr Savelli to copy Brighton and Edinburgh by introducing a flat fare scheme.
And the man who runs First Glasgow - the city's biggest bus operator - replied: "I am pleased to report we will actively consider his idea."
Mr Savelli told us: "We've a very open mind on this. There's no doubt Brighton and Edinburgh have very successful flat fare systems.
"I want to simplify things for our passengers. People want simplification. It can be quite daunting for some people to get on a bus when they don't know how much a fare is.
"It can almost be emb-arrassing and it's not helped when some drivers charge different fares on different days. It's something we're trying to remedy through training.
"To be frank, simplification is what people want and we're in the business of giving people want they want."
He added: "I think it might be possible to introduce a flat fare in a year or at least two years at the most."
The bus boss, in charge of the city's 1000-strong fleet, readily admits a flat fare would benefit drivers, passengers and other road users.
Mr Savelli said a universal payment would: l Speed up bus journeys by reducing the time it takes passengers to root around for change.
l Cut back the length of time buses are stationary.
l Help keep buses on the move which would help keep the rest of the traffic moving through the city.
Mr Savelli warned the scheme may have to be tested to gauge public reaction with, perhaps, a one-price ticket offered in a pilot area of the city.
Edinburgh bus travellers pay just £1 whether they are travelling to the next stop or the 20th. In Brighton, rush-hour commuters are charged £1.70 - cut by 20p from 9am.
In Glasgow, Subway users can travel the city's underground for a flat fare of £1.
The bus boss has already pledged to introduce 21st century technology so cashless swipe cards can speed up bus journeys
