Anger as bus fares rise again

10:42am Tuesday 1st January 2008

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News that bus passengers will tomorrow be stung by an eighth fare rise in three-and-a-half years has been criticised.

Bus operator First is putting 10p on the cost of all its single journey fares, which previously ranged from £1 to £2.80 depending on distance.

A day ticket rises by 20p to £3.70, while FirstWeek tickets increase by £1, from £13 to £14 and FirstMonth passes go up by £5, from £45 to £50. An annual pass, bought by direct debit, works out at £500.

First's network director for bus operations in Greater Manchester Simon Bennett said the latest price increases were "regrettable but necessary" and blamed them on increased fuel costs, wage inflation and pension costs and the continuing need for investment.

But Cllr Margaret Clare, Bolton Council's representative on the Greater Manchester Passenger Transport Authority says bus firms are making it harder to persuade travellers to leave their cars at home.

"We are trying, on one hand to encourage people on to public transport but we are fighting a losing battle," she said.

"I have a Motability car and would be lost without it but the odd times I have been on the bus it is phenomenally expensive.

"I am not entirely happy with the price rise but the bus services are deregulated and can do virtually what they want."

The last price rise First imposed was in January, 2007, when a FirstDay ticket went up 20p from £3.30 to £3.50, the FirstWeek ticket rose £1, from £12 to £13, and a FirstMonth pass went up £3, from £42 to £45.

Single journey tickets costing £1 remained the same price but the cost of longer journeys rose by up to 20p.

The new fare increases will not affect the elderly, who get free transport, and in the spring lower fares are due to be introduced for school age children, but Cllr Clare says she is worried about the impact the increases will have on the adult working population.

Mr Bennett, from First, defended the new fares stressing that child, concessionary and family tickets had not increased in cost and said other tickets remained competitive.

"We have worked hard to minimise the impact of the realignment," he said.

Visitors to The Bolton News website have reacted with dismay and anger at the price increases and several said they would be resorting to using their cars.

One bus user said: "There is no way I am paying another 10p on top of an already extortionate fare to be crammed into a cattle truck."

"My carbon footprint will only get bigger through no fault of my own," added another.

The company is due to take delivery of 200 new double decker buses before March, 2010.