BUS fares in Huddersfield will rise  by twice the rate of inflation.
Passengers will be hit by an 8% rise in fares from next Sunday, July 20.
First Bus , which operates dozens of services, said today it had reluctantly decided to increase some of its fares in West Yorkshire, including Huddersfield.
The company blamed the rise in oil prices  and the knock-on effect on operating costs, such as wages, pensions and insurance.
First, a big user of diesel, is raising its fares by an average of 8%, a figure similar to the rise in the Metrocard price and due to come into effect on the same day as First’s price changes.
The First move has been condemned by Metro, which supervises bus services in West Yorkshire.
Chairman Clr Chris Greaves said: “We know that both First and Arriva have secured fuel prices significantly below the current rate until at least the end of 2008, but they are using the current high prices as an excuse to impose another price rise on passengers.”
“I fear this will have the effect of undermining the integrated ticketing MetroCard provides in favour of their own single company products.
“Is it any wonder that fare-paying bus passenger numbers in West Yorkshire hit a new low last year when the bus companies use every opportunity to put up prices, while at the same time cutting services?”
A First spokesman said that throughout the year the firm had held back on making fare increases, but the business was not immune to the increasing costs of fuel.  
Fuel prices have doubled since January last year and more than quadrupled since 2002.
Alan Pilbeam, managing director for First Huddersfield and Calderdale, said: “For some time First has continued to absorb additional operating costs so that our customers are not directly affected.
“However, in light of the escalating increases in fuel and other operating costs we have reluctantly decided to increase some of our fares.
“Recent press articles have suggested that First is somewhat covered from rising costs as it has hedged the price of its fuel.
“While fuel hedging provides a degree of short-term certainty as to what price a company will pay in a particular period it still reflects the long-term rising cost of fuel.
“Nobody likes it when prices go up and we have worked hard to keep them to a minimum. 
“However, as the cost of filling up at the petrol station has gone up  – diesel is now £6 a gallon for the motorist –  we believe our fares are still extremely competitive.”
“Also, our new FuelBuster tickets, if bought today, will defer the effect of these rises for six months.”


A recent study based on the AA Fuel Price Report 2007-8  revealed the price of petrol has increased by 22% in the last year, from 97p to 118.2p a litre. diesel rose 35% from 97.4p  last year to 131.6p on
average last month.

Examples of price changes.

First Day West Yorkshire £3.20 to £3.50
First Month West Yorkshire £52 to £57
First Annual West Yorkshire £540 to £590
An average single fare now costs £1.50 (from £1.40)