Bus and train fares around Bristol and Bath need sorting out. Fares on Severn Beach line are cheaper than other local journeys. Bus fares are, for now, capped. But some local train journeys have much higher fares. We think a system of zonal fares would be fairer, and would encourage more people to use trains and buses.
Uneven subsidies
On the Severn Beach line, fare subsidies together with more frequent trains and a simple zonal fare system have led to big increases in passenger numbers. But elsewhere the fare system is not fit for purpose. For example the fare from Temple Meads to Ashley Down (£3.50 single) is significantly higher than for nearby Montpelier (£1.50 single). The fare from Bedminster to Lawrence Hill, at £4.70 for a 2.8 km journey, is more than twice that from Lawrence Hill to Montpelier (£1.50 for 3km).
For comparison, a similar journey across London by tube would cost around £3.
When connections are required, it gets worse. GWR will offer an Anytime Day Single of £9 from Ashley Down to Yate, but you could make the same journey for £6.80 by buying two tickets, splitting your journey at Filton Abbey Wood.
This table shows how fares on the Severn Beach Line compare with other local journeys of similar length:
| Station | Distance from Temple Meads (km) | Single Fare |
| Lawrence Hill (Severn Beach Line) | 1.6 | £1.50 |
| Bedminster | 1.2 | £3.20 |
| Montpelier (Severn Beach Line) | 4.6 | £1.50 |
| Ashley Down | 4.6 | £3.50 |
| Sea Mills (Severn Beach Line) | 6 | £2.00 |
| Filton Abbey Wood | 6.2 | £4.60 |
As more MetroWest stations open, these anomalies could multiply. We think this should be cleared up as a matter of urgency.
Our proposal for Zonal fares
Bristol Rail Campaign believe that a zonal fare system, similar to that used on the Severn Beach Line, should be extended to cover all local services. Our proposal for a three zone system is:
- Zone 1, bounded by Clifton Down, Filton Abbey Wood and Parson St;
- Zone 2, bounded by Severn Beach, Bristol Parkway, Keynsham, Portishead and Nailsea & Backwell;
- Zone 3, bounded by Charfield, Bath and Yatton.
We believe that such a system would encourage cross-city and other local journeys. It would also simplify fares and be fairer and easier to understand.
We have already raised this with Western Gateway STB, and plan to pursue it with both Bristol City Council and WECA. Let us know in the comments section below what you think!
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