Bus fares are slashed by up to 28 per cent

BUS users in Oldham are set to offered cheaper fares — some up to 28 per cent.

First — one of the region’s principal bus operators — has announced the Greater Manchester-wide roll-out of an offer initially negotiated and piloted in Oldham.

Last year, Oldham Council launched a Fare’s Fair campaign designed to secure more affordable public transport for residents.

Following positive discussions, First agreed to trial a special Oldham offer last November which reduced weekly bus tickets to £13 and daily bus tickets to £4 in all areas.

The new announcement means bus passengers across Greater Manchester will now also be offered the same deal following that successful trial.

Councillor Sean Fielding, assistant cabinet member who led the Fare’s Fair campaign, said: “This is fantastic news for residents of Oldham and Greater Manchester.

“We’re proud to have raised this issue — and to have been able to work so constructively with First and TfGM to find a solution.

“I would like to thank our partners for their vision in delivering this new deal for the region, which will benefit tens of thousands of bus passengers in challenging economic times.”

First has also invested £500,000 for provision of free wi-fi in all of its Greater Manchester buses as well as £1 million to equip all buses with GPS technology that will provide customers with real-time bus running information, which will be introduced later this year.

Customers with smart phones will know when their bus is coming before they have left their homes.

A further £9 million will be spent on around 50 new single-deck buses to complement the £20 million investment in 2012 of 100 new double-deck buses for the region.
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