SMITH CALLS FOR 'FARE' DEAL FOR BUS PASSENGERS

1.07.00pm GMT Wed 6th Feb 2008

Iain Smith MSP has called upon Stagecoach to reward their loyal passengers

by cutting the fares of journeys across the Forth and Tay Road Bridges when

the tolls are lifted on Monday.

Writing to the Managing Director of Stagecoach Scotland, Mr Smith said,

'Stagecoach will save a lot of money once bridge tolls are removed but, as

things stand, bus passengers who have loyally travelled by your services

will gain nothing and indeed might be tempted to switch to using a car

post-tolls. A cut in the bus fares would not only reward the thousands of

bus passengers, both regular commuters and occasional users, for sticking

with the bus and using public transport, but might also attract new

passengers out of their cars. The dedicated bus lane on the Forth Road

Bridge will also enable you to cut journey times.

I'm sure you will agree that it would hardly be fair if only private

motorists felt an immediate benefit from the lifting of tolls but bus

passengers got nothing.'