Friday 23 December 2011

Fare isn't Fair

Cllr Tristan Osborne campaigning with Chatham residents at the bus station




As local Councillors we have been working with resident groups to oppse the £10m new open-plan bus facility and to campaign for more affordable and regular bus services.


We know from correspondence and conversations on the doorstep that buses in Medway do not represent value for money. This is confirmed by other transport organisations and from residents across the local authority.


As a result we spent Tuesday morning speaking to local people at Chatham’s new open-air bus station, to gauge views on bus and train fares increases and to support the campaign by Maria Eagle MP, to devolve more responsibilities for bus services to local authorities.


In addition to rising bus fares; residents will now have to pay over £5,000 for an annual season ticket to travel into London via HS1.


The average Medway train ticket into London Stations has risen by 6.0%



  • Monthly Season Ticket: £319.20 to £338.40


  • Annual Season Ticket (HS1): £4,760 to £5,030


  • Annual Season Ticket: £3,324 to £3,524

In addition, since the Tories took power we have seen bus usage in Medway fall from 9.3m journeys to 8.9m journeys in one year alone.


We know buses are vital, connecting people with town centres, jobs, colleges, shopping, family and friends, and when bus services are cut, people’s lives are badly affected


Indeed, the Tory-led government’s budget allocation for Medway transport was significantly cut by the government from £3.5m per year to £1.5m per year.


As a result Medway has seen



  • Single fares up by 10p or 20p. e.g. Single fare on the 181 from Street End Road to Weeds Wood will go from £2.20 to £2.40 (9% increase)


  • Inner Medway day ticket up from £4.00 to £4.20 (5%)


  • Inner Medway week ticket up from £16 to £17 (6%)


  • Inner Medway 4-week ticket up from £47 to £50 (6%)


  • Inner Medway annual ticket up from £470 to £500 (6%)


  • Medway day ticket up from £5.20 to £5.50 (6%)


  • Medway week ticket up from £21 to £22 (5%)


  • Medway 4-week ticket up from £68 to £72 (6%)


  • Medway annual ticket up from £670 to £720 (7%)

The popular ‘Happy Max’ deal and evening fares will no longer be available.


We will continue to stand up for our residents who use buses and trains. We believe that with this government fare isn't fair.

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