First fare rise

Responding to news that bus operator First will be raising West Yorkshire fares in the New Year, West Yorkshire Combined Authority Transport Committee Chair, Cllr James Lewis said today, �It is disappointing that at a time when people are seeing widespread media reports of fuel prices dropping significantly, First has taken the decision to introduce this increase in fares that many people already consider expensive.

�People had been contacting me asking when fares were going to drop in line with falling oil prices and I have had to tell them that the current framework, under which buses outside London are run in this country, the Combined Authority has no say on these decisions.

Commitment

�While I understand bus companies buy fuel at fixed, hedged prices, I am sure that West Yorkshire�s bus users will join me in calling for a commitment from First to reduce its fares in the future when it starts to benefit from the current drop in cost.�

The average increase of First fares across West Yorkshire is 2.8% although one adult single fares will rise 8% from �1.20 to �1.30.

Other West Yorkshire fares going up include the company�s annual ticket from �650 to �680, its three-month ticket from �183 to �195, its monthly ticket from �65 to �68 and weekly ticket from �19.50 to �20.

Further details are available from the First website (opens in new window).