FirstGroup delivers free bus travel for Bristol rail visitors this spring

Thousands of tourists travelling to Bristol by train this spring will be able to enjoy free onward travel to anywhere in Bristol, as part of a trial scheme designed to show that customers value integrated transport solutions.

During the three-month trial, the First SuperBus ticket will give First Great Western customers travelling to Bristol Temple Meads or Bristol Parkway, and spending more than £25 on their ticket, free return bus travel to anywhere in the city. Tickets will cover more than 20 bus routes operated by FirstGroup, and will be available from April 1 – June 30 this year.

Transport operator FirstGroup has developed SuperBus with VisitEngland, which launched its Strategic Framework for Tourism for the next decade in London earlier this week. If the Bristol trial is successful, the Group plans to develop the scheme for other cities served by its rail network.

Train Operator of the Year, First Great Western will be offering SuperBus to customers buying tickets over £25 from booking offices or through its telephone booking team on 08457 000 125. For railcard holders, who receive up to 1/3 off their rail journeys, eligibility for the ticket will be based on the full un-discounted fare, rather than the full £25.

VisitEngland Chief Executive Officer James Berresford welcomed the trial. He said: “This is an innovative solution for integrated transport that supports travel for people visiting Bristol, and the thousands of businesses and employees that rely on the £750m that tourism generates in the city each year.

“If it is successful, we hope other transport operators across the country will follow FirstGroup’s lead.”

First Great Western Managing Director, Mark Hopwood said: “Integrated transport is what our customers want, so we are testing this new offer for a three month period at two of our key stations in the region.

“We want to prove to the whole of the transport sector that tickets like SuperBus are a great deal for customers, a great deal for the cities involved and a great deal for the transport operators. We’ll be looking carefully at how customers receive this product during the trial period, and we’ll use that information to develop it further.”

First Bristol, Somerset and Avon Managing Director, Justin Davies said: “Given the reputation Bristol has of being a city of innovation with a strong interest in environmental issues the introduction of the SuperBus ticket is a great opportunity to extend and enhance its reputation further.

“The many people who travel to Bristol by train will now have an improved option to continue their journeys by the wide range of local bus services that serve all parts of the city.”

Ends

For further details please contact the First Great Western Press Office on 0845 410 4444.

Notes to editors:

The SuperBus ticket will be valid on the following services.

Bristol Temple Meads:1,8,9,20,51,54,54A,57,67,70,462,462A,500,902,903,904,U1.
Bristol Parkway: 517,518,581,312,318,319.
Services to Bristol International Airport are NOT included as part of this trial.

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