Bristol bus passengers welcome ticket policy move

Frequent bus users said operator First's decision to allow change tickets to be used as part payment for fares was well overdue.

Passengers at Bristol Bus and Coach Station yesterday said the new system, which was introduced on Sunday for a six-month trial, would make life easier for them.

Before this week, passengers issued with change tickets needed to redeem them for cash at a First travel shop at Bristol bus station in Marlborough Street, in Weston-super-Mare or in Bath.

Students and less frequent bus users told the Post that drivers should always have change available and change tickets were inconvenient.

If the change ticket idea proves successful and levels of fraud remain low, First will extend the scheme further.

The move follows changes in the way tickets are printed, which means fraudsters will find it more difficult to copy them and use fake tickets.

Change tickets are issued when bus drivers are unable to provide change.

Passengers who do not wish to use change tickets as part payment for other fares will still be able to redeem them for cash at First travel shops.

They will have 14 days from the date of issue to redeem change tickets on buses or in the travel shops.

Bus drivers will not be able to exchange change tickets for cash on buses.

Justin Davies, managing director of First in Bristol and Somerset, said: "We are pleased to announce this significant change in our policy, which we hope will please customers across the region. They will be able to use change tickets as part payment for other journeys. We've been able to amend the policy following changes in the way tickets are printed.

"Bus tickets are now printed on special water-marked paper."

For more information about this and other transport issues, visit www.firstgroup.com/bristol.

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