Bus firm announces online fares freeze

Bus service 184 pictured on Huddersfield Road in Diggle.

FIRST Manchester buses has frozen ticket prices ­- but only if you buy them on your mobile phone.

In a move to get more passengers purchasing online in advance to speed up journeys, the bus company is keeping the cost of tickets purchased via its mTickets app the same but increasing the price of tickets purchased from the bus driver by 10p.

The increased fares come into effect from January 2.

First Manchester say a number of factors have led to a review of its prices, with one of them the increasing impact of congestion.

Bus journey times are being heavily affected by congestion, especially in Manchester city centre, but in a bid to speed up journeys the firm wants more customers to use its mTickets app.

Recent research, reported by the Chronicle, has highlighted that boarding times would be 75 per cent faster, if customers switched from cash to mTickets.

The firm also says it needs to make small increases to allow it to continue to deliver high quality services for its customers and research suggests that 78 per cent of smart phone users that use public transport, always use their phone when travelling.

Ian Humphreys, head of commercial at First Manchester, said: "We have worked hard to keep any increases to a minimum, but from time-to-time, we need to review our fares to meet the rising costs that we face as a business. Travel by First Manchester still offers great value for money, and we have focussed on keeping tickets as affordable as possible.

"We're also pleased to confirm that customers who use our mTickets app will not see a fare increase. We'd encourage more customers to purchase their tickets in advance of boarding, where possible, in order to take advantage of the discounts available, and to assist with quicker boarding times.

"We already have 15,000 people using the mTickets app, and with the news that we now offer a more competitive rate, for off-board ticketing, we expect this figure to continue to rise. Looking forward we'll continue to invest in improving services for our customers including using feedback to drive network developments, and provide high quality services, at great value."

The mTickets app is is available for free via the App Store and Google Play. Customers simply download the app, register, select from a variety of tickets, and navigate the secure payment system. Once the payment section is complete, bus tickets are available in a virtual wallet ready for the customer to show the driver. Repeat users need only select the required ticket and confirm their debit/credit card's security code.

For more information on First Manchester fares and timetable information, visit firstgroup.com/manchester.