If you rely on public transport to get around Chester and the wider Cheshire West area, you may be glad to hear that Cheshire West and Chester Council (CWaCC) is looking at making bus journey tickets simpler and cheaper, as part of a package of measures to encourage people to use buses more.
According to the council, the local bus sector is struggling to remain viable with only four-fifths of the passengers that it had before the COVID-19 pandemic. Irregular buses, confusing timetables and excessive fares from a fragmented system of multiple operators have been cited as factors discouraging bus travel.
CWaCC is, therefore, considering revising its Bus Service Improvement Plan (BSIP). This may include trialling a £1 maximum fare for veterans of the armed services, apprentices and university students, as well as job seekers, along with extending the national Government’s £2 cap on bus fares beyond the end of this year.
The BSIP also talks about addressing fragmentation in the network:
“The creation of a VQBP [Voluntary Quality Bus Partnership] to establish a multi-operator ticketing scheme demonstrates the ability and willingness to collaborate in this way under appropriate conditions. There is the potential for the Blacon Pointer partnership between Arriva and Stagecoach to act as a blueprint for other similar arrangements.”
While all public transport users should welcome an effective bus service, Bed Student Rentals has shared accommodation near Chester university, so you can simply walk or bike to lectures, tutorials and other learning activities. See our listings to learn more.
Written by Mark