Bus fares cut in bid to boost passengers

GREATER Manchester bus fares have been slashed by up to 28 per cent by the area’s biggest bus company.

From this week, passengers boarding First buses will pay £4 for a Manchester FirstDay ticket, rather than £4.50. The week ticket costs £13 rather han £18 and the FirstMonth season ticket is now £48, down from £58. A child’s weekly ticket has been reduced by 50p to £6.50.

The move is part of plan to increase passenger numbers and follows successful reductions within the M60 ring.

Councillor Andrew Fender, chairman of the Transport for Greater Manchester Committee, said: “This is a very significant move.”

He suggested it might help the development of an Oyster-style smart-ticket scheme, similar to that used in London.