TRAVEL bosses are putting up most school bus fares - saying it will help children get to class on time.
The rise for some school buses and other fares begins this weekend but a watchdog has attacked the plan.
Bus operator First said fares on some school services would rise 5p to 30p, 45p and 60p.
The travel chiefs say the rise - covering West Yorkshire - will speed up the issuing of tickets and giving out change, so buses will arrive at school on time.
The increase will happen on most, but not all, dedicated school services.
But Clr Donald Firth, chairman of Kirklees Council's transport decisions watchdog, said the move was "ridiculous".
He added: "There's no sense behind this at all.
"They have put their prices up. That's what they have done, plain and simple.
"It's not just to give out change quicker."
Clr Firth said the measure was counter-productive to council aims to get people, especially schoolchildren, on to public transport.
He added: "This move will just push people into using their cars."
But Graham Riley, First's business director said the changes made sense.
He added: "In the evenings, some of the children pay to the first stop but travel beyond it.
"It causes friction between the driver and the children, so the new system is a flat rate, so no mater how far you travel you will pay the same rate."
Mr Riley said it was the same case in the mornings on the journey to school.
Other tickets will also cost more from Saturday.
First Day and First Day off-peak tickets will rise by 10p to £2.80 and £2.20 respectively.
First Week and First Week NHS/Student will rise by £1 to £12 and £9 respectively, with the 12-tripper ticker up by 50p to £9.
The new maximum off- peak fare will go up from £1.20 to £1.30. There is a 5p rise to 65p for under-16s.
