A ROADSHOW explaining major changes being made to bus fares in the region is in Yate today Friday, June 27).

First is holding a series of events to publicise its change in fares across the region with one taking place in Yate Shopping Centre from 10am to 4pm.

The company, the largest provider of bus services in South Gloucestershire, has overhauled the way it calculates fees and from Sunday, July 6 will start charging passengers based on the distance travelled.

Flat rates will be introduced with £1.50, £2.50, £3.50 and £4.50 fares for distances up to 12 miles and a maximum rate of £5.50 for all journeys over 12 miles in South Gloucestershire and up to Wotton-under-Edge and Dursley.

Under the changes, return fares are to be scrapped completely and instead passengers will be offered a £7 West of England day ticket for unlimited travel on selected services.

The company said it hoped the roadshows would ensure people know what is happening and why. There will be a team of people available to answer questions and hand out information on the changes.

In addition, First is producing 50,000 leaflets which will explain the changes in full.

Sarah Wallbridge, senior marketing manager for First in the West of England, said: ”We have deliberately picked busy locations, and mostly shopping centres, for these roadshow events so that we can talk to as many people as possible, ensuring that they know what is happening and why.

“We hope that people – whether they are existing bus users or not – will come along to these events to find out more about the changes that are being made.”

A special website www.fairerfaresforall.co.uk has also been set up to explain the changes.