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Last Updated: Thursday, 19 July 2007, 11:11 GMT 12:11 UK
First raises fares across region
Passenger getting onto a First Bus

First Bus is raising most of its day and season fares in the Avon and Somerset area after single and return tickets were hiked in January.

From 5 August, fares will rise on day and season tickets, except a FirstDay Adult Bristol (Peak) and the same ticket for Yeovil.

These will drop by 40p and 10p respectively.

Five fares will remain the same. The company blamed increased operating costs and new investment.

It said it was only raising fares as a "last resort".

New buses

Kerry McCarthy, Labour MP for Bristol East, said the firm should use its profits to make services better.

"If you price people off the buses, you will never solve the problem of congestion."

In 2006, First Bristol Ltd made pre-tax profits of �1.4m, on sales of �37m.

First Somerset and Avon Ltd reported �40m sales last year, with a pre-tax loss of �3.7m.

Simon Cursio, commercial director of First, said: "This is the first time we have increased fares on FirstDay and Season tickets for nearly two years."

A spokeswoman said its operating costs were rising by 8% each year, and that it was investing in new buses and tracking technology.

"Drivers' wages reflect the cost of living and we have the normal costs around vandalism, maintenance, cleaning and so on," she added.




SEE ALSO
Fine of �50,000 for bus operator
28 Jun 07 |  Somerset
MP hits out over bus fares rise
05 Jan 07 |  Bristol/Somerset

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