Sheffield to be hit with another bus fare hike

2.46.27pm GMT Mon 4th Dec 2006

FirstBus in Sheffield are putting fares up again

Bus fares in Sheffield are set to be increased by the city's main bus operator First Group. The highest increase will be nearly 15%. Liberal Democrats have slammed the fare increase as another example of bus operators putting profit before passengers under the Labour Government. Fare increases include an extra 10p on a basic £1, £1.50 and £1.80 fare and an increase from £3.50 to £4 on the FirstDay South Yorkshire ticket.

Plans also mean that Sheffield residents will be paying more than people in Doncaster and Rotherham for Firstweek and Firstmonth tickets. The changes will come into affect on the 6th January 2007.

Lib Dems highlight that the fare increases are way above the rate of inflation at a time of lower fuel costs. They believe that the fare increases will lead to more and more people turning away from public transport therefore adding to congestion.

Councillor Sylvia Dunkley, Liberal Democrat Shadow Cabinet Member for Transport, said: -

"Nearly ten years into a Labour Government and we are still seeing bus fare hike after bus fare hike despite empty promises of action from Westminster. Profit has been put before passengers because Labour at a local and national level have stood back and allowed bus operators to get away with it"

"These latest hikes, of which the highest is nearly 15%, will not be welcomed by bus users. It will lead to even more people turning away from public transport which in turn will lead to greater congestion. This will be to the detriment of everyone using Sheffield's transport network"

"These fare hikes are unacceptable. Its clear that the time for words has long gone, we now need swift action from this Labour Government to give local authorities more powers to control local bus services"