Opening of Cromer Bus Station.
PHOTO: ANTONY KELLY
UPDATE: Blow for North Norfolk bus users as Sanders set to put up fares by at least 10pc
Steve Downes
Thursday, February 2, 2012
8:21 AM
Rural bus users face a body blow as Sanders Coaches is increasing all of its fares by a minimum of 10pc from Sunday.
The big hike, announced on its website, has been blamed on rising fuel costs and a 20pc reduction in the bus service operator grant received by Sanders, which has depots at Fakenham, Holt and North Walsham.
A statement on the website said it was the first increase since November 2010, and added that the combined cost to Sanders of reduced grant and paying more for fuel was “in excess of £400,000”.
The statement said: “We still believe we offer extremely good value for money and trust that whilst we accept any increase is difficult at this time, you understand the severe rise in costs we are facing leaves us with no alternative as we wish to stay in business.”
Sanders operates a host of services largely to the north of Norwich, serving towns including Aylsham, Cromer, Fakenham, Holt, North Walsham, Stalham and Wroxham.
Its services bring many town and village residents in and out of Norwich for work and shopping.
Managing director Charles Sanders said a cut in the government fuel rebate amounted to £110,000 per year, while rising fuel prices meant “everything was coming under pressure”.
He added that more than half of Sanders bus users were concessions, which meant the firm could not get anything extra from them.
And he said: “There’s nothing we can do about this increase. We either put the fares up or go out of business - or start dumping the least profitable routes.
“We’ve spent a great deal of time improving the bus services in the area, and we want to continue that.”
Jono Read, vice chairman of North Norfolk Labour Party, said: “Bus fare rises are inevitable when funding is being cut by councils, but I fear that rising fares and cuts in services will have an impact.
“We all should be encouraging people to give up their cars for public transport, but it is made all the more difficult by these announcements.”
● What do you think about the increases? How will you be affected? Add your comments below or call Steve Downes on 01263 513920.
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20 comments
Jono; you're slightly wrong, First walked away from the route as they couldn't make enough profit from the route.
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Paul Radbourne
Friday, February 3, 2012
Don't know why Norfolk fares are so expensive - but I think it is to do with council subsidies. But we have just got back from Sheffield where they have First buses. We did the trip from the city centre to the hospital £1.40 for me and 50 pence for my daughter. The same distanced journey here would be £2.30 (I think) and £1.60 for my daughter (Two thirds adult fare) I also have to say the buses were regular and ON TIME
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penguinlegs
Thursday, February 2, 2012
TO work
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Double Bill
Thursday, February 2, 2012
guess you dont get it work?
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Double Bill
Thursday, February 2, 2012
Going on the bus is a real adventure. I'd be happy to pay an extra 50% for the pleasure. It's cheap and enjoyable.
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Valpy Word
Thursday, February 2, 2012
although it is bad news that bus fares are going up I always think the longer distance fares are pretty good value, £5.00 return at the moment Norwich to Sheringham when it costs £4 return on many city routes of only a couple of miles, the only annoying thing is that I will probably be the only one paying as most customers seem to get free travel
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blister
Thursday, February 2, 2012
i have seen that some buses have very few request stop bells so if u want to get off u have to walk down the aisle to find a bell.This is legal apparently.
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bookworm
Thursday, February 2, 2012
I think more people should try and use the buses now and again. I live on a fairly good bus route but I do have a car. In the summer months especially it is easier and cheaper to go to, say, Holt on the bus because you spend ages driving round looking for a parking space and then you pay 70p an hour. Obviously you can't do this if you have to collect a week's shopping but if you're going to the chemist or library or just a few small items then you can.
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samphirelover
Thursday, February 2, 2012
I have seen far better public transport infrastructures in third world countries. These third world countries also have more modern and reliable transport fleets. I am appalled at the dirty and unreliable public transport fleet that serves the people of Norfolk at an extortionate cost. Any form of public transport in the UK charge fares that are increasingly becoming out of the reach of the average public. For many Norfolk people there is no option on transport choice and for many outlying villages no option whatsoever. Our local Members of Parliament should take note and support their constituencies in the argument for a better transport system in rural Norfolk.
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CCJ
Thursday, February 2, 2012
it is best not to use buses.if u pay it can be very stressful to see that you are the only person PAYING a fare on whole bus.
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bookworm
Thursday, February 2, 2012
Glad I dont use busses
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Farquarson-Smythe
Thursday, February 2, 2012
if you are middle-aged,low paid or unemployed you will still pay extortianate bus fares. fed up with certain age groups riding free or discounted.
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bookworm
Thursday, February 2, 2012
An increase for me of £85 a year and you are asking me what i think? HAhaha that's a classic! And the buses are not the most reliable either!
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Ben Carpenter
Thursday, February 2, 2012
An increase for me of £85 a year and you are asking me what i think? HAhaha that's a classic! And the buses are not the most reliable either!
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Ben Carpenter
Thursday, February 2, 2012
Indeed a rise from £5.60 to potentially £6.20 will be a large increase for a return from Holt to Norwich. The frustrating thing is that there's very little alternative now that First and Norfolk Green have lost those contracts.
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Jono Read
Thursday, February 2, 2012
I have to question the ability of both our Conservative run councils to run services in rural areas. Bus subsidies are increasingly justified in rural areas such as North Norfolk, where unlike cities, people have to journey greater distances to get to places to shop, work, etc. Norfolk County Council need to seriously re-think this 20% cut. To put into perspective, a minimum increase for me, buying a weekly ticket is likely to be just over £60 per year, a good friend of mine is looking to see his weekly ticket increase by around £85 per year. - For our money we are also seeing a reduction in services. I'd hate to see how much the increase is for those travelling greater distances on the sanders network. The Issue of rural isolation is a big one in North Norfolk and the bus services are a lifeline to many. Pensioners will continue to get free travel, non means tested at that.
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Callum Ringer
Thursday, February 2, 2012
forgot to say--bet pensioners still travel free while the rest of us pick up the slack.morally wrong.
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bookworm
Thursday, February 2, 2012
buses are too expensive and what with the rumours about anglianbuses i bet FIRSTBUS are rubbing their hands with glee.
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bookworm
Thursday, February 2, 2012
Karen - It seems you may have uncovered a business opportunity for yourself here. Why not set up your own bus company and undercut Sanders fares.
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AE
Thursday, February 2, 2012
Not impressed!! The buses are old, unreliable and expensive. Where I live in Dilham they are never on time and we always seem to get the old ones anyway. Its now going to cost me more to go shopping as I don't drive and I will be paying approx 4.10 return to travel less than 4 miles. How can that be fair!!!
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Karen Henry
Thursday, February 2, 2012