Preston Bus scraps exact fare policy following customer feedback

A 23 service in operation by Preston Bus during lockdown Pic: Colin Ward

Preston Bus has announced a range of new improvements to its service to help encourage passengers post-lockdown.

Beginning Monday 26 July, Preston Bus is permanently scrapping its exact fare policy for customers. Currently, passengers using the services either have to pay using exact change or face being overcharged.

During the pandemic, Preston Bus spoke with customers and frontline colleagues to gain feedback.

Passengers said that the exact fare policy has deterred customers from travelling with the operator. Combined with the recent introduction of contactless payments, the service has now completely removed the barrier.

Preston Bus Managing Director, Bob Dunn, said: “I am pleased to have acted on this feedback, which we have received loud and clear from our customers.

“We are currently in the process of fitting equipment to buses to allow us to give change and will shortly be commencing the removal of the cash vaults, which were introduced when conductors were removed from the services. From Monday, our drivers will be ready and willing to issue change whenever required.”

The news follows the announcement of a new cross-city bus route in Preston. The current 16 (Farringdon Park) and 89 (Larches via Docks) will be combined into one route cross-city, allowing passengers to travel directly across the city centre without changing buses.

The route will be numbered service 100 in recognition of it being 100 years next year, since the commencement of Preston’s first motor bus services.

Buses will operate up to every 10 minutes from Farringdon Park via New Hall Lane, Stanley Street, calling at Preston Bus Station, then Fishergate, Hartington Road, Portway P and R, the Docks area, Pedders Lane to Larches. All the usual stops in the city centre will continue.

The maximum £2 fare within Preston will also apply to the new service, meaning that travelling from one side of the city to the other is now cheaper, as customers will only have to pay one fare. Lower fares are also available for shorter journeys, and buses will operate more frequently on Sundays.

Thomas Calderbank, Commercial Manager for Preston Bus, said: “The new Cross City 100 service is an exciting innovation to open up the city through new direct bus routes.

“Passengers at Farringdon Park will now be able to shop on the docks or get off the bus on Fishergate, while residents at Larches will have easier access to places such as Gala Bingo and Lidl on New Hall Lane. We will be monitoring the usage closely and making further changes in response to customer demand and feedback.”

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