On 1st May 2008 some Facebook members supporting the campaign “NCT has gone too far” tendered their fares in bronze and 5p coins in protest to the recent fares increase. This resulted in slight delays for other passengers boarding NCT services
The group is now planning to “do a conga onto 2 or 3 separate buses and paying in coppers” on Saturday 10th May 2008 at 2pm from the Old Market Square.
NCT would like to advise that fares paid for in this manner over the value of 20p per denomination of coin will not be accepted. This is in line with legal guidelines issued by the Royal Mint. Customers offering to pay this way may not be allowed to travel and will lose any bronze coins above this amount put in the cash hopper. This policy is in place to minimise boarding times to ensure journey reliability and adherence to timetables.
NCT request that customers do not adopt these tactics as it will inconvenience other passengers paying correctly and apologise in advance to customers using NCT services and paying in the normal way.
The recent fare revision is primarily due to the huge and continued increase in diesel prices, NCT are currently facing a 78% rise in diesel prices over the last 12 months. Fares are reviewed periodically to ensure the company can continue to invest and improve the network offered to the residents of Greater Nottingham.
The Facebook protesters believe that the unlimited all day (including late Go2 night services) Cityrider ticket priced at £3 is expensive, comparable all day ticket prices in other cities are as follows:
- Sheffield £3.50
- Bristol £4
- York £3.50
- Brighton £3.20
NCT believe this ticket represents good value for money and would like to point out that its fleet is one of the most modern in the UK and the network one of the most comprehensive outside of London. Cityrider tickets are also valid on the tram as part of an integrated network of public transprot in the City.
However, there are cheaper ways to use the NCT network for both regular and occasional users and we recommend that all passengers should travel “smartly” with Easyrider cards, to enjoy discounted journey prices for all travel patterns.
Regular travellers can still enjoy unlimited all day bus and tram travel from less than £1 per day with an Easyrider City card. Less frequent travellers are advised to use an Easyrider Anytime “pay as you go” card providing all day travel from under £2 per day. These cards can be purchased from the NCT Travel Centre in the Old Market Square.
NCT would be delighted to discuss this matter further with the leaders of this Facebook campaign and would urge them to reconsider their proposed action planned for 10th May.
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