'If Bristol were to adopt the London system then expect extra payment on council tax'

Bristol Live readers have been discussing the proposed changes in bus fare prices when it was disclosed that the £2 cap on a single bus journey would not persist. Looking forward to 2025, travellers should brace themselves for the cap to increase to £3.

While FirstBus has yet to confirm any fare hikes, its talk of favouring "a staggered approach" could be construed as an early indication of the rises commuters are bracing for in Bristol. Blaming a £22 billion "black hole" in finances, the Government has justified this projected price change.

Locally, Bristol City Council has promised that funds from the Clean Air Zone will subsidise bus services across specific areas of the city, slightly cushioning the blow for residents. And yet, the prospect of bus fares rising to a £3 cap has invariably drawn out varied reactions from the Bristol populace.

One reader, DeepThoughtX had this to say: "Except that two £2 journeys are not £4. Because as anyone who actually uses buses knows, the second journey is charged at £1.50, making it £3.50 for a return journey."

While Fadinging thinks: "TFL London since they took over bus companies they been getting bailouts of billions of pounds to stop them going under, so if Bristol want a TFL system then expect a extra payment on the council tax bills."

Predictabletechs adds: "It's simple economics, really: Someone has to pay for the bus service. Services are run by private companies; it may not be liked but that's what it is. Even if this were changed to some sort of public ownership or franchising, it still has to be paid for.

"It could be wholly paid for by the passengers but when it's subsidised, as it is with the fare cap, the subsidy ultimately comes from taxes. So you have to put your hand in your pocket to pay for it as a passenger or have your taxes increased. The other bit of simple economics, to deal with the conflation of the two issues of cost and quality in one single article, if more buses are to be provided to more more locations, then that's going to cost more. Guess where the money would need to come from? You're right - the passenger or the tax payer. Like I said, someone has to pay for it."

6470 asks: "Why is the government interfering with private bus companies, they do already tell the electric company how much they can charge, they also had something to do with the train drivers wage settlement. As far as Bristol council and buses goes they are used as a pawn with the government and Wecca to keep the council going ,the council should make up mind what to do if it's buses then make buses a priority."

What do you think of the proposed new bus fare cap? Let us know in the comments below or HERE.