EAST LOTHIAN BUS FARES GO UP BY 20% (Jim Hume)

EAST LOTHIAN BUS FARES GO UP BY 20%

July 5, 2010 12:00 AM

Jim Hume MSP, Liberal Democrat MSP for the South of Scotland, is investigating claims by constituents that some bus fares in East Lothian have gone up by as much as 20%.

The recent run bus fare increase was advertised by First Group at somewhere between 5% and 8%, but information obtained by the MSP suggests that some previously discounted fares have increased by 20%.

Jim Hume said:

"Constituents have complained to me that whilst they expected a small rise of between 5 and 8%, they were not expecting to be hit with a 20% increase on some fares.

"A return ticket from Haddington to Edinburgh, for example, would have previously cost £5.90, but this has now risen to £7.10.

"This is a big jump, especially for those who are on a limited income or who don't have any choice other than to use buses to get around.

"There is also concern that this larger increase applied to some fares hasn't been widely advertised and many passengers have been taken aback by the surprising hike in prices, which has only been discovered when they've gone to buy a ticket.

"At a time when we're trying to get more people using public transport, this hike in fares will only discourage people from using their local buses and will push them back into their cars.

"It does also raise the question of the apparent lack of operator competition in some places, which many see as an excuse for operators to monopolise the market."

ENDS