Single, return and FirstTen fares will rise by around 3% on 7 January. This adds around 5 or 10 pence per fare.

A spokeswoman for Reclaim Bristol Buses, which campaigns for better and cheaper buses, described the fare rises as "unacceptable".

First said some fares would be also be reduced as part of the review.

The peak return between Bristol and Bath will be cut from �7 to �6.

Congestion

And an off-peak return will drop from �6 to �5.40.

First is also reducing single and return tickets between Bath and Chippenham by an average of 20%, the company said.

First's Tony Anthistle added: "The increasing congestion in Bristol, particularly around the Broadmead redevelopment does not help journey times and reliability.

"Bristol is now second only to London in the congestion stakes.

"The industry calculates that for every one mile per hour reduction in speed, you add 10% to our costs."

But Dick North, from Reclaim Bristol Buses, said: "You have got to say, no way can we have further increases."