BUS and rail passengers across Aireborough and Wharfedale have been facing an 'unwelcome New Year present' in the form of increased fares.

Train ticket prices shot up by an average of 4.2 per cent on Monday, above inflation, while the Leeds area's main bus operator, First, has raised its prices by up to 20 per cent.

Aireborough and Horsforth MP Paul Truswell, who has campaigned in Parliament for more investment in public transport in Guiseley, Yeadon and surrounding areas says there should be a balance between profits and services.

He said: "Since deregulation bus fares have almost doubled in real terms and that, together with unreliability and constant cuts and changes, is probably why the number of passengers has halved in places like West Yorkshire."

From April 2004 to June 2005, First increased its off-peak fares across Leeds by 27 per cent, and peak fares by 19 per cent.

And Mr Truswell said rail passengers had been just as badly hit.

"During the same period the cost of living rose by less than three per cent," he said, "and the bus industry's own figures illustrated operating costs in the region had risen by nine per cent. Now they are coming back for even more.

"Rail fares have also taken off, and though we've seen major investment in rolling stock and stations on the Wharfedale Line, there is still an increasing problem with peak time overcrowding.

"We need to see the fare increases translated into investment in more rolling stock."

Wharfedale Rail Users' Group (WRUG) member and Ilkley Parish Councillor Kathy Best echoed those sentiments.

Coun Best said: "If fares went up slightly as a result of a lot of improvements being made, things like extra trains at peak times and more connections, then we wouldn't be against it but this looks like fare rises just for the sake of it and increasing profits.

"That's not a good way to encourage people to use public transport and leave their cars behind.

"It's deeply disappointing and unfortunate, to increase fares without the improvements we'd all like to see.

"But perhaps the above-inflation rises can give us a lever in our regular discussions with Northern Rail about the changes we'd like implemented."

She added that some of WRUG's top priority 'aspirations' for the Wharfedale Line were to gain:

l An additional train to Leeds to relieve overcrowding on the 7.40am and 8.05am departures from Ilkley;

l A better spread of evening departures to relieve overcrowding on the 6.02pm departure from Leeds;

l Improved accessibility on trains and stations - and Menston station in particular - for the disabled and elderly.