bus travel

run_rabbit55

hi all, i travel by bus alot at the moment by a months travel card. has any one seen any cashback sites or anywhere that i can get discounted bus travel i live in the bristol area and use first group buses. cheers

RichyRich

I'm not aware of any online discount for FirstGroup PSV Operators, but here are some suggestions for you:-

1. Are you buying a "travelcard" from the local authority or PTE when you are only using the services of one operator? If so, it may be cheaper to get a travelcard, or monthly or weekly ticket (FirstWeek? FirstMonth?) from the operator themselves?

2. Are you a university student or in Full Time Education? If so you have a potential of two routes available to you here. Speak to your local authority or PTE and see if they have a concessionary travel scheme for students - if you can avail of this you can be quids in and usually get to use the trains too. Alternatively, see if your local operator (First Bristol in your case) has a student discount

3. Are you entitled to free concessionary travel? Disabled and Elderly people are entitled to travel free on buses in England. Apply for a pass from your local authority or PTE.

4. When I lived in Bradford, First had a "First Card" that you could get for free. This worked a bit like an Oyster Card where you could load it with cash but got a discount on daily, weekly, and monthly tickets if you used it rather than its paper equivalent. Find out whether your local FirstGroup operator has a similar scheme.

5. Is it cheaper to buy single or return fares rather than a travelcard? If you don't travel all that often, or don't travel every day, it can often work out cheaper just to pay to where you want to go, or just to pay for a Day Ticket, than buy weekly or monthly passes.

6. Consider other modes of transport. Depending where you're travelling to and from you may have the option of other, cheaper operators, the train, cycling, or shank's pony, all of which have a similar or lower environmental cost. There is very little information out there about bus travel and the various schemes, so it pays to do your research.

Hope to help
Rich

ticketcollector

http://www.firstgroup.com/ukbus/southwest/bristol/fares/index.php

Roland

I live in West Yorkshire and I have an Annual WYPTE Metrocard which was bought with a 15% bulk discount through my employers. Smaller companies can get a 5% discount.

I work for a bank and the card is funded by an interest free season ticket loan through my employers, I think that many other employers can also provide int free loans for season tickets.

RichyRich

Roland is correct many employers have a "Salary Sacrifice Scheme" for employees to purchase bus travel through them, a major benefit here is because bus travel is seen as a green option as well as any bulk discount you get, the cost of the ticket comes off your wages before any tax and so you also get a tax break for it. It is well worth asking about.