First seeks views in Bristol

First is inviting people to share their views regarding the recent bus fare changes in Bristol, which followed the extensive public consultation it held last year. It has launched an online survey, asking all bus users in the city to share their views on the consultation process, the changes implemented as a result and the way the alterations were communicated. Survey entrants will be entered into a prize draw to win a month’s worth of bus travel in Bristol’s Inner and Outer zones, worth £80.

MD for First in West of England, Paul Matthews, said, ‘Last year we undertook a huge consultation with residents in the city. It was designed to help us understand more about how people used the buses in the area and find out what they thought about the fares charged. We distributed 5,000 paper questionnaires and had more than 6,500 responses to our online survey too. In addition we held 14 public road shows over a period of 12 weeks, with bespoke events set up for councillors and the region’s MPs. An independent transport consultancy then analysed all the results for us, working with us to then create a new fare structure for the city. The latter was introduced in the autumn following a month’s worth of marketing activities, which included six more customer road shows and an extensive advertising campaign. What we want to do now is understand more about the impact that those things had. For instance did we target the right places with the right messages, were residents aware of the consultation and the changes to bus fares made as a result? We want to learn from this exercise and, if necessary, improve for the future.’