Passengers slam new bus fare rise

BUS firm First has come under fire after announcing fare increases of up to 15 per cent on its routes to and from the Capital.

The inflation-busting price increases come into effect tomorrow and will see adult single fares in Edinburgh rise by 10p with tickets in other parts of the Lothians going up by 20p.

Day and weekly tickets will also see steep increases with the cost of a day ticket between South Queensferry and Edinburgh jumping from £3.60 to £4.20.

First today blamed the price increases on rising fuel costs but community groups and politicians today hit out at the move.

In April, Lothian Buses put up the price of its adult day ticket by 10p with rising fuel bills also blamed. The company said today it had no plans to put up its fares again.

Keith Giblett, chairman of South Queensferry Community Council, said: "This is very disappointing news, the Government and council are trying to push people towards public transport but that is made difficult with big jumps in fares like this.

"I understand the economic pressures on First but there has to be some way of shielding communities which only have access to one bus service provider.

"People in the western parts of South Queensferry can get access to the Stagecoach buses which stop at the bridge but everyone else has no choice but to travel with First."

Escalating oil prices over the last year have seen the price of diesel in the Lothians increase by up to a third.

John Caldwell, independent councillor for Musselburgh East and Carberry, where a number of First services operate, said: "We appreciate the economic situation facing us all just now because of the price of fuel but this really does fly in the face of encouraging people to use public transport.

"This above-inflation increases offers little incentive to people to make the switch from the car."

Paul Thomas, managing director for First in Scotland East, said: "In light of the escalating increases in fuel and other operating costs, we have reluctantly decided to revise the price of some of our fares."