The Student’s Union has managed to decrease daily bus fares for Sussex and Brighton students. The Brighton and Hove bus company has agreed to reduce the price of its daily student day ticket to £3 on routes that extend beyond the 23/25.

This means a 70p reduction on users of the 23 and 25 from Brighton as well as a remarkable £1.70 reduction for students travelling on other buses from as far as Lewes, Steyning, Shoreham, Patcham, and Seaford.

In April this year, the bus company rose daily fares to £3.70, angering students whose maintenance loans has remained at the same level.

When the Students’ Union revealed the news on its Facebook page on Thursday, nearly 500 users ‘liked’ the announcement, with many Sussex students praising the move in the comments.

The new student day saver fare will only be available on the Brighton & Hove bus phone app or alternatively the scratchcard available from the Students’ Union shop in Falmer House and the 1Stop Travel shop in North Street, Brighton.

However, this will not affect students who possess a keycard have already paid for or plan to pay for 90-day or 12-month bus travel, which amount to £115 and £365 respectively. A reduction in termly or annual fare prices “weren’t included as part of the deal”, the Students’ Union said.

There is no word yet on when the revived £3 student saver will come into effect, with the USSU saying: “We’re just waiting for the bus company to confirm that. They’ve said they’ll let us know as soon as possible.”

However, the reduced fare is expected to be implemented imminently, with more information expected this week. Abraham Baldry told The Badger: “I said in my manifesto that I’d reduce the cost of public transport in Brighton, and at the time, a lot of people were sceptical this was achievable.

Although it’s taken three months of negotiations, I’m delighted that we’ve been able to secure this improvement for students in Brighton.

“This wouldn’t have been possible without Brighton University Students’ Union, the University, and Caroline Lucas, who helped us get an initial meeting with the Bus Company.

“The next step is to get B&H to introduce more buses to reduce overcrowding.”

Significantly, the price of the student discount day tickets will be frozen at £3 until least until the end of the 2015 calendar year. The Students’ Union also confirmed that it was not “subsidising” the fare cut.

The Students’ Union believe reducing the daily fares will still have a significant effect upon students and commented: “We know that not every student uses day tickets but we had lots of feedback that students would like a reduction in this ticket.”

Lyndsay Burtonshaw on the Re:Cycle scheme: “While I was thrilled to hear of the success Abe had in getting bus fees reduced, I believe that transport should be as close to free as possible. I am concentrating my energies to providing students with cheap access to good bikes by continuing my work on the RE:CYCLE Sussex bike hire co-op.”

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