A DECISION by Bradford's biggest bus operator to increase fares at a time of falling fuel prices oil has been criticised by West Yorkshire's public transport chief.

First, which operates services across the Bradford district and the rest of the county, will increase the price of some of its tickets from Sunday, January 4.

It insists the increases, which average 2.8 per cent, were needed to meet rising operational costs and ensure an improved service for customers in 2015.

But Councillor James Lewis, chairman of the West Yorkshire Combined Authority's transport committee, described the fares increase as "disappointing".

"This latest rise shows we need greater transparency on how fares are set and how these decisions are made," he said.

“People had been contacting me asking when fares were going to drop in line with falling oil prices, and I have had to tell them that the Combined Authority has no say on these decisions.

“While I understand bus companies buy fuel at fixed, hedged prices, I am sure that West Yorkshire’s bus users will join me in calling for a commitment from First to reduce its fares in the future when it starts to benefit from the current fall in cost.

"People need to be confident they are getting value for money."

A spokesman for First said it bought bulk quantities of fuel, at set price levels, in advance, and was therefore not benefitting from today's lower prices.

Across the Bradford district, the new prices will mean a monthly ticket rising from £52 to £54, a weekly pass increasing from £14 to £14.50, and a daily or adult return fare rising from £3.90 to £4.

Some prices for single tickets, such as £1 and £2 fares for adults, have been frozen, but many will rise at a rate of 10p for adults and 5p for children.

First said the 2.8 per cent average rise is lower than the most recent fares increase across England of 3.1 per cent.

The company, which said it has invested more than £8.5 million in new buses across the county in the last year, also stated that a number of fares would still be cheaper than in previous years due to "significant price cuts" since 2012.

Paul Turner, head of commercial for First in West Yorkshire, said: “We need to review our fares from time-to-time to meet the ongoing challenge of rising costs to our business and ensure we can continue to invest in improving service for our customers in future.

"These changes help support the extensive seven-day network of services offered across West Yorkshire, many of which are largely dependent upon fares from customers to cover their operating costs.

“I appreciate nobody likes it when prices go up, but we have worked hard to keep any increases to a minimum.

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