TRANSPORT for Greater Manchester has announced a price increase for users of Local Link, Ring and Ride and school bus services.

The new fares for Ring and Ride and Local Link come into effect on June 1, while the school bus price increases begin in September.

“We recognise that there’s never a good time to increase fares but the changes are needed to ensure these vital services can continue to operate without any detriment to customers,” said Alison Chew, TfGM’s interim head of bus services.

Ring and Ride offers a bookable door-to-door service for those who find it difficult to use public transport. The fare increase for this service was discussed during a consultation process with users and charity groups. Stakeholder consultation sessions were held in September 2017 and public surgeries were held in April 2017 and April 2018.

The feedback indicated that users would be willing to pay the revised fare, as they valued the service greatly and felt that it would still offer value for money.

The increase will be introduced to help maintain the existing level of service to customers following a funding reduction to Greater Manchester Accessible Transport Ltd – which operates the Ring and Ride service.

Fares for school bus journeys and Local Link - a service for local journeys in areas where public transport is limited – are in line with inflation and will help support essential services and invest in ongoing transport network improvements.

• Local Link (from 1 June): single fare increase from £2.50 to £2.60, weekly ticket increase from £20 to £20.80, concessionary single fare increase from £1.20 to £1.25 and a concessionary weekly ticket increase from £10 to £10.40.

• Ring and Ride (from 1 June): concessionary fare increase from £1.20 to £1.50.

• School bus (from September): single fare increase from £1.30 to £1.35, return ticket increase from £2.20 to £2.30 and a weekly ticket increase from £7 to £7.30.