Bus fare increase 'unacceptable' say MPs
MPs in Parliament have condemned Sheffield bus giant First's "unacceptable" eight per cent fare hike.
A hard-hitting Early Day Motion urges Sheffield council to use newly passed legislation to strip First of its powers to impose such fare increases.
Sheffield Attercliffe MP Clive Betts, who tabled the motion, today said the company had showed such "complete irresponsibility" that the council must consider a complete overhaul in the way bus services are organised in the city.
It was revealed last week how First is putting up its fares despite falling oil prices because it bulk-bought its fuel for next year in the summer, when the cost was high.
From January 3, single fares will increase by 10p, day tickets by 50p to 4.50 for travel across the county or 4 for travel only in Sheffield, Rotherham or Doncaster.
Weekly tickets will rise by 1, while monthly tickets will rise from 54 to 60 in Sheffield and from 50 to 54 in Rotherham and Doncaster.
Mr Betts' motion warns the hikes will "hit those on low incomes the
hardest" and will "offer further encouragement to the long-term decline in bus usage in the city".
It also points out that First Bus has announced profits of 180m for the last six months – up from 103m for the same period in 2007.
David Hayes, co-chair of Sheffield Green party which had called for city MPs to propose a motion, said: "A united front with all six Sheffield MPs signing the motion would send a much clearer message to First to back down."
The motion has won the backing of Sheffield Central MP Richard Caborn, Sheffield Hillsborough MP Angela Smith and Sheffield Brightside MP David Blunkett.
Mr Betts said: "This motion was to reflect the public anger on this. They see fuel prices falling at the petrol pumps and yet First are putting their fares up by an absolutely astounding amount,
"It is not as if they are hard up as a company when you see the profits have nearly doubled in the last six months."
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