First Bus has issued a major update on fares for its Bristol Airport flyer. From tomorrow (May 29) standard airport fares will be charged for all journeys on the A1 bus, meaning Bristol Zone tickets will no longer be accepted.
The A1 is a dedicated airport express link that serves Bristol Bus Station, Bristol City Centre, Temple Meads and Bristol Airport every 20 minutes. It had accepted Bristol bus tickets during Covid-19, benefitting passengers using the service not for the airport.
But now First Bus says this will be scrapped as fares on the A1 return to "arrangements more similar to that of the pre-pandemic situation." It means First Bus Bristol Zone, First Bus West of England Zone, BristolRider and AvonRider tickets will no longer be accepted or issued on any part of the A1 service.
Also read: LIVE: Bristol Airport 'a zoo' amid long delays and luggage 'thrown on floor' - updates
First Bus says: "These changes have been made to help improve journey times and ensure that priority on the A1 is for airport customers as passengers numbers increase towards the summer." It means adults will have to pay £8 single and £13 return, and children and students £6 single and £9 return, if they want to use the A1 service at any point along its route.
The bus operator continued: "English National Concessionary Travel Scheme (ENCTS) passes are not valid for travel from or to the Airport. These passes are accepted for travel along other parts of the route. Airport Staff mTickets are not impacted by these changes."
It says there are some exceptions to the change, adding: "Adult and child single and return Local Residents Scheme tickets will remain unchanged and available when showing an Airport scheme pass to the driver. If boarding at the Airport stop, ENCTS passes will be accepted for free travel if presented alongside a Local Residents Scheme pass.
"Those currently eligible for the £1.50 single fare as per current Airport agreements will continue to be able to buy these tickets. Between Airport Tavern and Winford Grove/Bishopsworth Road stops, a local fare of £3.30 Adult Single and £6.30 Adult 2-Trip will be available for all customers, for travel to or from Bedminster or Bristol."
It comes a month after Bristol Airport sparked outrage for ditching free bus travel for pensioners. A councillor has launched a campaign to get bosses to reverse their decision to stop allowing Diamond Card passengers to make local trips on the A1 while still accepting paying customers.
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