by STACEY MULLEN and JACK HAUGH

A MOTION has been submitted to the Scottish Parliament calling on First Glasgow to scrap plans to increase fares.

Glasgow MSP Johann Lamont’s motion calls for First Glasgow to look again at the decision to get rid of unaccompanied child concession tickets and increase fares for under-16s by 40 per cent.

The Evening Times previously reported on the increase which also means unemployed passengers have been hit with a 10 per cent hike in fares.

There has also been an increase on single adult tickets on the firm’s routes which have soared by more than 15 per cent.

Ms Lamont said it was “to put people ahead of profit.”

She added: “I know from my own postbag from constituents just how much buses can act as a lifeline service. We should not be making it more difficult for young people in particular to access public transport.

“It’s time we put passengers first, put people ahead of profit, and finally fixed the broken bus market.”

She added: “I will continue to campaign for the regulation of bus services in Scotland.

“With re-regulation and more power over routes and fares, we can get a better deal from the bus operators.

“In the meantime, I call on First Glasgow to think again and reconsider these decisions, which unfairly impact upon young Glaswegians.”

The Evening Times spoke to passengers on First Bus routes 2, 255 and 60A who hit out at the increases.

Fergus Clark, from Knighstwood, said: “It is quite dear for people who don’t have passes. My wife, who still has to get tickets, has to pay nearly a fiver. Years ago, when I was a teenager, the bus fares were so cheap. Tickets are so expensive now because of increases in the price of diesel, which is being passed onto customers.”

Andrew Wilson, from Carmunnock, said: “People absolutely do not get value for money on buses. The fares are ridiculous. I used to stay in Europe and the public transport was dirt cheap, but not here. It’s because public transport has been all privatised. I think it should be nationalised again.”

Keeva Feeney, from Govan, said: “People aren’t getting value for money as buses are getting more expensive all the time. A day ticket has basically doubled in price. I think it could probably affect people’s ability to get into Glasgow and even though prices are going up wages aren’t matching it.”

First Glasgow acknowledged the fare rises would impact on household budgets but insisted that overall prices offered “value for money” adding that fares bought electronically had been frozen.

ON THE BUSES...
By JACK HAUGH

Glasgow Times:

ONE morning spent on First Bus services was enough to show me an increase in ticket prices for the average traveller is hard to justify.

Buses are mostly clean and comfortable, and drivers happy enough, but there was nothing to suggest the 10 per cent increase in fares (up to 40 per cent if you are under 16) was going to be spent on customers.   

Instead, having seen the option of a return ticket removed last year, commuters who don’t own a weekly ticket are forced to buy a single ticket or an expensive day-return. And with drivers unable to give change, consumers are often left out of pocket.   

One passenger I spoke to was particularly insistent that not enough is done to make people aware of apps as a means of paying for tickets. 

While First Buses are effective enough, the sharp price increase means the firm struggles to represent value for money for the people of Glasgow.