Bus fares to go up as fuel prices soar

But the timing of the rise was described as "dreadful" because the company is considering protests from thousands of people that they have lost out on services through the introduction of the overground bus system.

Bradford's biggest bus company has spent £10 million buying new vehicles for the system modelled on London's underground.

And while some people have applauded improved timing and frequency in and out of the city, thousands of others are furious because they say they have lost services.

And it comes just seven months after increases to cover heavy investments by the company in the services.

In one example, the 10p peak hour increase for journeys from Baildon to Bradford city centre to £1.40 means commuters will pay twice as much as for the same journey on a Northern Spirit train.

Councillor Ann Ozolins (Lib Dem, Idle), who has supported angry residents in Idle protesting about the loss of their direct services to Leeds, said: "I think the timing is dreadful.

"This is going to mean they lose more and more customers.

"We are trying to get more people to use public transport and the rug is being pulled from beneath us."

Some fares will stay the same, but many will go up between two and 15p from Sunday. The biggest increase is for adults who currently pay 85p for an off peak journey and face a price increase to £1.

Bradford Day Rider tickets will go up 20p to £2.20 before 9.30am and £1.70 afterwards. A company spokesman said: "This was mainly prompted by substantial increases in fuel prices."

He added the company was looking at representations about services changes in the recent overground restructure.

The Reverend Geoff Reid, a member of Bradford passenger consultative committee, said: "It doesn't seem very diplomatic at this particular time and I think the public could have had more warning."

Other First Bus companies in West Yorkshire are also putting fares up by the same amount because of increased fuel prices.