Fares up on train and bus journeys

Train travel costs have gone up 6.2 percent according to the Association of Train Operating Companies who said the price increase was down to the government’s railway investment plans.

A First TransPennine Express spokesperson said: “An any time day return between Dewsbury and Huddersfield has increased from £3.80 to £4.10 and an any time day return between Dewsbury and Leeds has increased from £5.10 to £5.50. First TransPennine Express will not directly benefit from any rise in ticket prices - the additional revenue will go towards future investment.”

A standard day return from Batley to Leeds has gone up from £3.90 to £4.20, while a standard day return from Mirfield to Leeds has risen from £5.65 to £6.10.

Arriva Yorkshire, which runs many local bus services, has put up its fares after a two year price freeze. Nigel Featham, Arriva Yorkshire managing director, said: “During that time we have experienced some big cost increases like fuel and insurance. In order to ensure we can continue providing our customers with the best service possible we now need to increase some fares.” More than half of fares were frozen and none of its single fares had risen by more than 10p, he said.

But First Bus West and North Yorkshire managing director Ian Humphreys said the operator would not be putting up prices, saying a price freeze made tickets better value for money while fuel and shopping costs rose. He added: “We are working hard to keep our costs down and we will keep them as low as possible for as long as we can.”