Following a review of the club subsidised home matchday bus service, we wish to advise supporters of a new pricing scheme.
This will come into effect as of the Barnsley game on Saturday 17 November and prices will become £2 single and £3 return.
In line with previous years, since the start of the season all routes have been monitored for level of usage, inbound and outbound.
Statistics have shown that more passengers travel away from the Reebok (outbound) after a game, than use the service to get to the Reebok (inbound).
One service which was monitored, the early bus from Bury, was used by four and six passengers on two recent occasions – this early service will be ceased as of Saturday 17 November.
Director of Facilities and Operations Jan Kozlowski said: “The club have run the subsidised service since we moved to the Reebok in 1997, and will continue to do so.
“Over the past 15 years our fares have remained virtually unchanged (and our subsidy has subsequently continued to increase), but with fuel costs more than doubling and passenger numbers changing, we have had no option but to review the prices.
“Our review and the information that came from it showed that it is simply not economical to continue the service in its present form.
“While as a club we have always tried to resist increasing prices, the new fares still represent exceptional value for money.
“Similar bus journeys to our scheduled times and distances can cost £3.80 for a Single and £4.80 for a Return (Bury to Horwich for example, and this only to/from the Beehive)
“If there had been another option, we would have taken it, unfortunately there wasn't.
“We hope supporters who use the service appreciate that the change in prices is driven solely by the economics of passenger numbers and usage. “
Information
Timetables will remain as present and publicised but the early bus from Bury will be ceased.
From the start of this season, supporters will have seen the introduction of a further bus operator, Tyrers of Adlington.
Tyrers will supplement the First Bus fleet until the end of the season and will then operate as the main provider for the 2013/14 season.
This will come into effect as of the Barnsley game on Saturday 17 November and prices will become £2 single and £3 return.
In line with previous years, since the start of the season all routes have been monitored for level of usage, inbound and outbound.
Statistics have shown that more passengers travel away from the Reebok (outbound) after a game, than use the service to get to the Reebok (inbound).
One service which was monitored, the early bus from Bury, was used by four and six passengers on two recent occasions – this early service will be ceased as of Saturday 17 November.
Director of Facilities and Operations Jan Kozlowski said: “The club have run the subsidised service since we moved to the Reebok in 1997, and will continue to do so.
“Over the past 15 years our fares have remained virtually unchanged (and our subsidy has subsequently continued to increase), but with fuel costs more than doubling and passenger numbers changing, we have had no option but to review the prices.
“Our review and the information that came from it showed that it is simply not economical to continue the service in its present form.
“While as a club we have always tried to resist increasing prices, the new fares still represent exceptional value for money.
“Similar bus journeys to our scheduled times and distances can cost £3.80 for a Single and £4.80 for a Return (Bury to Horwich for example, and this only to/from the Beehive)
“If there had been another option, we would have taken it, unfortunately there wasn't.
“We hope supporters who use the service appreciate that the change in prices is driven solely by the economics of passenger numbers and usage. “
Information
Timetables will remain as present and publicised but the early bus from Bury will be ceased.
From the start of this season, supporters will have seen the introduction of a further bus operator, Tyrers of Adlington.
Tyrers will supplement the First Bus fleet until the end of the season and will then operate as the main provider for the 2013/14 season.