WINNERS and losers are set to emerge among bus passengers this weekend as they navigate a new price and zone structure.Bosses at First are introducing a new YarLow zone from Sunday aimed at making it easier to travel longer distances and to simplify the system.
WINNERS and losers are set to emerge among bus passengers this weekend as they navigate a new price and zone structure.
Bosses at First are introducing a new YarLow zone from Sunday aimed at making it easier to travel longer distances and to simplify the system.
The new YarLow zone will work alongside the existing Lowestoft town zone and Great Yarmouth zone.
The new structure has been introduced as a result of extensive passenger consultation involving First officials and regular travellers on local buses.
However, not everyone will benefit from the new structure as some fares will rise although First bosses insist the majority of people will benefit from the changes.
Revenue and marketing manager Gussy Alamein from First said the changes were the result of passenger demand to simplify travel outside the current zones and make their money go further.
'What there is currently is a Great Yarmouth zone and a Lowestoft zone - from Sunday there is going to be one big combined zone and then two town zones.
'It gives people more flexibility of where they want to travel and better value for money. A small amount of people may be affected by the changes adversely but there are greater travel opportunities. We want to give as great a service as possible to our passengers. We have listened to people's comments.'
Changes said to help passengers are 10-trip tickets which work out at �2 a hop, and the family two plus two ticket which allows unlimited travel across the whole YarLow zone for �12, or �7 on a one plus two.
The cost of season tickets in the remaining town zone remains the same.
The East Suffolk Travellers' Association (ESTA) has been campaigning for improved bus services in the Lowestoft area and will monitoring the new system carefully.
What do you think of the new changes? Write to: The Editor, Lowestoft Journal, 147 London Road North, Lowestoft NR32 1NB.
For more information visit www.firstgroup.com
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