Bus ticket changes across Somerset and West of England take effect days after GCSE results day

Students across Bristol, Somerset, Wiltshire and Gloucestershire received their GCSE results on 20 August, the BBC reported [3]. The Somerset County Gazette and Bridgwater Mercury noted that students across Somerset also received their results on the same day [1], [2].

On 30 August, First Bus will introduce a new ticketing structure across Somerset and the wider West of England area, including Bristol and Bath, according to a service update [4]. The changes take effect ten days after results day.

Under the new system, customers aged 16 to 21 and students will be able to get a 10 per cent discount on eligible tickets, First Bus said, but these discounted tickets will only be available through the First Bus App and not from drivers [4]. Children aged 5 to 15 can travel for 50 per cent of the adult fare [4].

The standard single fare will rise from £2.40 to £2.60, while the £3 fare cap will remain, the operator said [4]. Local day tickets for Bridgwater, Taunton and Yeovil will continue at £6.80, and a West of England Plus Day Ticket covering Somerset, Bristol and Bath will cost £9.50 for adults [4].

Weekly and monthly tickets will be available only through the First Bus App and Tap On, Tap Off fare capping, and will no longer be sold by drivers, First Bus said [4].