A transport campaigner who has successfully forced First to review its bus fares in Bristol is now setting his sights on Bath.
Graphic designer Daniel Farr was just another disgruntled passenger when he took to Twitter to voice his concern about the standard of service and the cost of tickets.
But, after encouragement from some of his followers, he launched an e-petition calling for a reduction in fares and has already got around 4,000 signatures.
As part of his campaign Mr Farr contacted Bath and North East Somerset Council to see if the region's local authorities could work together to put pressure on bus operators.
He met council leader Paul Crossley and was invited to speak at tonight's cabinet meeting to talk about his experiences and officially launch a Bath petition.
Mr Farr, 33, who lives in Bristol, said: "I think now is the time to strike while the iron is hot and try to make it not just about Bristol but the whole region.
"People across the whole region are pretty fed up, not just with First but with other bus services as well.
"They are fed up with second rate services for expensive fares."
Councillor Roger Symonds, B&NES cabinet member for transport, welcomed the fare review in Bristol and said he hoped it would be replicated in Bath.
He said: "Bus passengers in B&NES are very dissatisfied with the level of First's fares on its local bus services and this is confirmed in every passenger satisfaction survey we carry out."
The Bath petition is at http://democracy.bathnes.gov.uk/mgEPetitionDisplay.aspx?ID=14&RPID=5940996&HPID=5940996.
For a full report of tonight's cabinet meeting go to www.thisisbath.co.uk, and follow @siobhanprideaux on Twitter.
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