BUS passengers face price hikes of up to 11% from this weekend.

First Bus yesterday announced fare increases for services in Huddersfield.

The cheapest adult single ticket will rise 11% from 90p to £1.

The £1.20, £1.80 and £2.70 singles remain the same. However, the £2.40 fare will rise to £2.50.

An off-peak day ticket, which can be used after 9.30am, will rise from £3.20 to £3.40. Peak time day tickets will stay unchanged at £4.

All other fares – including the weekly, monthly and yearly passes – will remain the same.

The price rises will come into force on Sunday.

First’s managing director in West and North Yorkshire Dave Alexander said yesterday that rising costs had forced the company to increase some fares.

“It is more than a year since our last price change and we now need to review our fares to meet the ongoing challenge of rising costs to our business,” he said.

“Fares have to be set at a level that cover our anticipated costs for the medium term. The most significant impact on our costs in 2010 is rising staff and pension costs in this difficult economic time.”

Mr Alexander added: “Over the past year the recession has had a major impact on our business, much like many other Yorkshire businesses and we have had to deal with difficult issues such as staff redundancies and service changes. We will continue to manage our business efficiently to ensure we are in a strong position to come out of the recession and to grow the business once more.”

Mr Alexander believes First provide their customers with value for money, despite the increases.

He said: “We appreciate nobody likes it when prices go up, but we have worked hard to keep any increases to a minimum by introducing savings within our business to offset cost increases.

“Despite some of these price changes, the cost of travel on a First bus still represents great value-for-money.”

What do you think? Are the bus fares in your area worth it or will this drive people away from public transport? Have your say below.