People travelling by bus within 12 miles of Bath will be able to access cheaper bus fares from Sunday 2nd November as First Bus is introducing a new range of Bath Outer Zone tickets.
The move – which is set to benefit people living in Bradford-on-Avon, Chippenham, Frome, Melksham, Midsomer Norton, Paulton, Peasedown St John, Radstock and Trowbridge – follows the creation of new Bath Outer zone, covering an area approximately 12 miles in all directions from Bath city centre.
Since the changes to the fare structure were made in July, people travelling into and around Bath from the outlying towns and villages, have had the option to buy either a Bristol Outer Zone ticket (offering unlimited travel 12 miles from Bristol Bus Station: a ticket most suited for those wishing to travel from the centre of Bristol to Bath Bus station) or a First West of England zone ticket (offering unlimited travel across the West of England, including all of Bath, Bristol, Weston-super-Mare and Wells).
The company has since recognised though that there is scope for a ticket covering travel within a commutable distance from Bath, which would appeal to those people living and travelling within a 12 mile radius of the city.
From 2nd November bus users will be able to buy day, week, month, year and 10 journey tickets for travel in the Bath Outer Zone.
This has the potential to cut the cost of travel for many. The new tickets will offer unlimited travel in Bath city centre and for travel on First buses within approximately 12 miles of Bath Bus Station.
Specifically, an adult commuting from Chippenham, Midsomer Norton, Radstock or Frome, who currently buys a FirstYear West of England ticket, will be able to save £210 a year, while monthly or weekly ticket holders have the chance to save £16 or £3 respectively.
Children, young people and students (with valid photo ID) also stand to save money on the cost of travel too.
There will also be savings for people who travel infrequently too. They will have the option to buy FirstDay Bath Outer zone tickets – which offer unlimited travel for one day in and around Bath – or 10 Journey Bath Outer zone tickets – which will offer 10 single journeys valid for use within three months of the date of issue.
With the latter, people making journeys of between three and 12 miles could save up to £21 compared to the cost of buying 10 individual single tickets.
Talking about the changes, Jonathan Barnard, General Manager, First West of England, said: “This is good news for bus users in and around Bath.
“The introduction of this new ticket will make commuting to and from Bath from the outlying areas cheaper, and therefore more attractive.
“Children and young people will continue to enjoy discounts off the adult prices too, which means that they too will benefit from the introduction of this new zone.
“The feedback we’ve had on this already is positive. It offers even more parity with the fare structure on the outskirts of Bristol, and it is something that stands to benefit a great number of people travelling to and from Bath for work, school and leisure opportunities.
To view the detailed map of the new Bath Outer zone, showing the boundary points for the ticket, log onto: www.firstgroup.com/bath (under tickets / Bath area).
