THE cost of travelling on Glasgow's Subway could go up for the second time in less than a year.

Bosses at Strathclyde Partnership for Transport blame the price hike on sharp increases in their fuel bills.

On Friday, SPT is likely to agree to increase all fares on the underground network from January 1.

The decision will mean that since April, the cost of an adult single ticket will have jumped by 20% from £1 to £1.20.

Price rises are also planned for Subway park-and-ride and the Renfrew Ferry.

The Subway is used by a massive 14.47million passengers each year.

SPT chairman Alistair Watson said: "We know everyone is strapped for cash at the moment and this was a difficult decision for us as a result.

"Faced with an increased fuel bill of almost £800,000 and other escalating operating costs we have no other option open to us than increasing fares."

Jim Devine, Labour MP for Livingston, who has been campaigning for windfall taxes for power and oil companies, has accused the firms of profiteering at the expense of customers.

He said: "This is a classic example of cause and effect. Power company profiteering puts power charges in Scotland up to the highest in Europe.

"The direct result means that ordinary folk using the Subway face increased fares to pay for it." What do you think of the Subway price hike? JENNIFER TEALE, office worker, Kirkintilloch The price they are charging for a Subway ticket is okay if you are travelling quite a distance but if you are only going a short way I'm not sure. MICK McNULTY unemployed, Partick I've found the Glasgow Subway to be quite cheap especially when you compare it to the bigger cities like London. LISA FLANNERY, English student, Hillhead Overall I would say the underground is quite good for what you pay and the increase isn't exactly going to break the bank. IAIN MATHESON, office worker, Ibrox An increase was inevitable especially with the cost of running a transport system on so much electricity as well as the cost of everything else going up.

The SPT is also having to pay an extra £600,000 to subsidise bus and Dial A Bus services, and an extra £260,000 in pension costs.

SPT insist the last increase in Subway fares in April was in line with inflation and followed a three year price freeze.

A spokesman said: "It still meant the Glasgow Subway was amongst the lowest fares in Europe for a single journey."

If SPT agrees, the cost of single and return tickets for both adults and children will increase, along with the cost of a Discovery Ticket. It will also cost more to buy a seven day ticket, a 10 journey ticket and a 20 journey ticket for both adults and children.

The cost of Subway park and ride will jump 80p to £5 and Subway parking will go up by £1 to £3. The price of tickets on the Renfrew Ferry will also increase slightly.