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15 March 2010

Salisbury Reds Launched By Red Watch

Red Watch Manager Steve Jugg (centre) cuts the ribbon with Alex Carter (Centre left) and Salisbury Depot Manager Jim Bell (Centre right)

The region’s premier bus operator Wilts & Dorset invited Red Watch Manager Steve Jugg and his colleagues at Salisbury Fire Station to officially launch the first of 15 buses to be re-branded as the Reds. The new image coincides with the introduction of reduced price Saver Tickets to encourage more people to use the bus network on a daily basis, and improvements to routes and the display of information on timetables, the internet and at bus stops.

Alex Carter, regional Managing Director for the Go Ahead Group, which acquired Wilts and Dorset in 2003, said that the new initiatives to be introduced from 21 March for the network from Salisbury will enhance the appeal of bus travel.

’We expect the bright new Red bus image to become recognised in the region as the network for Salisbury,’ said Alex Carter. ’This is supported by discounts on our 7 day tickets reduced from £13.00 to £11.00; 30 days reduced from £45.00 to £39.00 and 90 days travel reduced from £115.00 to £99.00.’

The new Red 5 Service to West Harnham has now been increased to offer 3 buses per hour, from 2 per hour, and the X7 To Southampton has a more regular hourly service.

’We hope that these changes will address some of the requests made to improve and make services more sustainable for the long term despite the increasing running costs and insufficient passenger numbers on some routes,’ said Alex Carter. ’Whilst some people will dislike the changes, we have proved that by updating services we can attract more bus passengers. This is important considering the traffic congestion and pollution, combined with parking issues faced by Salisbury.’

Since the acquisition of Wilts & Dorset in 2003, the Go Ahead Group has invested over £20 Million to update the aging bus fleet. Passenger numbers have increased by 10% and driver employment has increased to 515. The new timetables providing information on the changes to the numbering, frequency and routing of many of their services from Salisbury are now available from www.wdbus.co.uk, the Travel Shop in Salisbury Bus Station, and other outlets including the Tourist Information Centre.