EVERYONE knows businesses have to pass operating costs on to their customers - it is the way the world of commerce works.

But users of First buses have faced seven price rises in just 30 months with the latest increase pushing ticket prices up from between six and 10 per cent.

In that time some fares have risen by more than 30 per cent - way above the rate of inflation.

Given that most people are either on fixed incomes or they get one wage or salary increase a year, this means they have to absorb the cost or reduce their use of buses.

High bus and train fares force those who can to use cars but those who do not or can not drive are forced to pay the extra if they need to travel.

First blames high energy prices and high fuel costs coupled with increased investment in new buses.

A spokesman said that increased fares were just one part of the mix, high fuel prices and a high level of investment and a commitment to new buses and service reliability were others.

Local MPs Dr Brian Iddon, for Bolton South-east, and David Crausby, who represents Bolton North-east, both say they will be campaigning for more local control over public transport, including trains and buses, along similar lines to Ken Livingstone's regulation of buses, trains and the tube in London.

Mr Crausby said: "Deregulation of buses and trains, and of buses in particular, has been a complete disaster. In some cases you can fly abroad for less than the cheapest bus fare.

"Deregulation was one of the worst privatisations we have seen so far and the sooner we get back to public transport being run as a proper service by the state the better in my opinion.

"I am disappointed that the bus companies continue to increase their prices. We have to persuade people to go back on to public transport when it is effectively cheaper to travel by car.

"Once you have bought a car, paid for tax and insurance then you might as well use it. We have to provide an incentive for people to use public transport and we won't do that when the bus is dearer than the car.

"And what about people who don't drive or have access to a car? They have been abandoned. I will take whatever opportunity I can to raise this in Parliament.

"In the end frequent fare rises will lead to fewer people using the service, which will mean even higher fares, leading to a poorer service and then route cuts as less people uses buses."

Dr Iddon added: "Rises like these don't make the public want to leave their cars at home - they do the reverse - but mean more cars on the roads in cities like Manchester and towns like Bolton.

"If buses hadn't been deregulated we could have kept them in the public domain and integrated them into the public transport system.

"Complete deregulation only brought poor services and a very inadequate public transport system.

"We want to regulate buses in Greater Manchester and in other cities throughout the country, much as Ken Livingstone does in London.

"We want that kind of control over local buses in Greater Manchester, which would allow us to make sure that there is a proper level of service to bus users.

"There are buses in Manchester on certain routes which end up racing each other because there are so many competing companies.

"But there are deserts in other areas with no buses. Try and get a bus from Stoneclough after 6pm and see what happens - that's what deregulation has really meant."

Ruth Kelly, MP for Bolton West, said: "It is very disappointing that First Bus is imposing a further fare increase. Buses are a lifeline for many people in my constituency, particularly the young and the elderly.

"It is important that bus fares are affordable, that is why I welcome the Department of Transport's proposal for local authorities to enter bilateral agreements with operators, that could specify maximum fares."

Cllr Nick Peel, Bolton's representative on the Greater Manchester Transport Authority, said: "It is bad news when we are striving to get more commuters back on to the bus and rail network.

"This is another clear signal that now is the time to pass some control of bus services back to local authorities."

The price rise means that the FirstDay ticket rises from £3.30 to £3.50; the FirstWeek ticket goes up from £12 to £13; while the FirstMonth ticket sees an increase from £42 to £45.

On single fares, only the £1 fare remains unchanged. The £1.30 and £1.60 fares rise by 10p, and the £2, £2.60, and £3.80 tickets all go up by 20p. There are no changes to child, concessionary or family tickets.

Simon Bennett, network director for First in Greater Manchester said: "Commercial cost pressures across all areas of our business, throughout 2006, have resulted in the fares adjustment being introduced this weekend, January 14.

"Fuel and general energy cost increases were two of the significant factors in the operational environment during 2006.

"This difficult decision will also ensure that our significant, ongoing investment policy for the Manchester business is not jeopardised.

"Across our operational area we are now delivering a 99 per cent service reliability that customers can depend on, helped in large part by our investment of £34 million in 278 new buses. And during the early part of 2007 there will be a further investment of £7 million in the shape of 36 new double deckers."