Parents angry at second bus-pass increase (From Bradford Telegraph and Argus)

Parents angry at second bus-pass increase

12:13pm Thursday 4th January 2007 in News By Dan Webber

Parents have criticised transport bosses after school bus pass prices increased for the second time in just four months.

As reported in yesterday's Telegraph & Argus, passengers have been hit by higher rail and bus fares in the New Year.

The West Yorkshire Transport Authority's operating arm - Metro - has also increased the price of its School Plus monthly MetroCard by £1 for the second time this academic year.

A monthly pass for a child now costs £25.50 a month - up from £23.50 in 2004/05.

Mum-of-two Rose Milford, of Copgrove Road, Holme Wood, said she now took her children to St John's CofE Primary School by car as it was cheaper.

She said: "I simply cannot afford it. The prices they charge now are beyond reach for a lot of parents.

"The bus company should be doing a lot more to encourage parents to get their children to travel with them."

Jacqui Horvath, whose children attend St Bede's Catholic Grammar in Heaton and St Peter's in Upper Nidd Street voiced her concerns.

She said: "It's ridiculous. I am a single parent on benefits and I cannot afford it. There are also issues with the environment which a bus company ought to be helping by encouraging more people to travel with them."

Mum-of-three Sharon Ratnik, 44, said: "Parents have not been given any warning at all.

"My wages do not go up each month.

"The rise in fuel costs is an issue but the bus companies are subsidised by the Government. Two price rises in four months is too much and is unfair."

Bradford Green Party leader, Councillor John Love (Shipley), said Metro should be doing far more to encourage under-16s to travel by bus.

He said: "If you look at areas like London, under-16s can travel on the bus for free despite the congestion charge.

"More children travelling on the bus would have a serious impact on congestion in the area.

"Fuel prices have actually dropped in the last six months so that can not be used as an excuse."

A Metro spokesman said: "Metro administers money-saving MetroCards on behalf of bus and train operators across West Yorkshire and therefore is obliged to increase prices to reflect rising costs being incurred by those operators, which unfortunately has meant rises of 25p per week or £1 per month on School Plus MetroCards in September and January.

"Nevertheless, as it costs just £6.75 for a week or £25.50 for a month and is valid for most West Yorkshire bus journeys at any time on any day of the week, School Plus MetroCards remain an extremely popular, cheap and easy way for young people to enjoy regular bus travel."

Metro's £15.50 weekly adult bus ticket went up by £1 this month. An annual pass previously costing £632, rose to £673.

Two months ago Keighley and District bus company put fares up by an average of five per cent, blaming wage inflation and the cost of insurance.

e-mail: dan.webber@bradford.newsquest.co.uk

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