Rise in some bus fares called 'unwelcome'
Sarah CaldecottA rise in some local bus fares has been called "unwelcome" by a transport users group.
Arriva North East increased its adult single fares in Tyne and Wear and Northumberland by 10p on Sunday.
The firm said it had not taken the decision "lightly" and that it was determined to keep services as "affordable as we can".
The North East Public Transport Users Group (Neptug) called the increases "unwelcome" and said it hoped proposed plans to take the region's buses under public control would "protect people from increasing fares".
Arriva North East also said it was updating its adult bus fares in Durham and the Tees Valley to reflect the distance travelled on a journey.
It confirmed children's fares in north-east England would remain the same.
Most bus fares in England have been capped by the government at £3 and this is expected to last until at least March 2027.
The North East Combined Authority has further discounted this cap to £2.50 in Northumberland, Tyne and Wear and County Durham.
'Invest in network'
A spokesperson for the bus firm said: "It's important to be clear these changes are not about generating excessive profits.
"The majority of fares remain below the government's £3 single fare cap, meaning bus travel continues to offer good value compared with other forms of transport.
"We're determined to keep services as affordable as we can, while continuing to invest in the network."
Neptug called on buses to be brought under public control.
It said: "Ultimately, running bus services in the public interest is the best way to give the people of the region affordable and sustainable options for travelling to work, education, leisure, or healthcare."
