Dorset

Dorset fare changes 14 June 2009

Taking into changes in its operating costs, First in Hampshire and Dorset is revising some bus fares across its network effective as of 14 June 2009. As a result the cost of some single and return fares and some season ticket products in Dorset will increase slightly.

The decision to review fares in Dorset was not taken lightly. Richard Soper, Managing Director, First Hampshire & Dorset explains: "As an industry, we are not immune from the pressures of the tightening economy and we have a duty, both to our customers and our shareholders, to ensure that we cover our costs and that the business remains sustainable. To that end, fares have to be set at a level that covers both our current and our anticipated costs.

"We know that nobody likes it when prices go up so we have worked hard to keep increases as small as possible, freezing, at 2008 prices, as many fares as we are able to.'

Specifically, in Weymouth " where a zone system operates " the £1.10 fare (cost of an adult crossing one zone boundary) will change, increasing to £1.20. All child fares will increase by five pence. For adults travelling within just one zone, or crossing two zone boundaries, prices have been frozen.

In Dorset more generally, some adult and child single fares will increase by either five or 10 pence with corresponding return fares also changing slightly.

Some season ticket products have also been reviewed, with changes to some FirstDay, FirstWeek, FirstMonth and FirstYear tickets, but these tickets still represent excellent value for money allowing unlimited travel for as little as 72 pence a day in Weymouth, or £1.38 in the whole of Dorset.