By STEWART PATERSON

Political Correspondent

PRESSURE is mounting on First Bus to reverse inflation busting price hikes on Glasgow buses after the First Minister and all seven city MPs joined the row over the rises.

Nicola Sturgeon said she “shared the concerns” of passengers after some fares increased by as much as 40% in some cases.

The Evening Times reported this week that fares would rise for under 16s by 40% and unaccompanied child fares would be scrapped.

Single adult fares increase by 15% although prices bought with a smartphone app have been frozen.

Ms Sturgeon was asked by Glasgow Labour MSP Johann Lamont if she was concerned by the increase.

Ms Sturgeon said: “I am an MSP for part of the city of Glasgow and I share the concerns that have been expressed by my constituents and by many people across Scotland about bus fare increases, including the FirstBus increase that was announced this week.”

She said she would be making representations to FirstBus in her role as Glasgow Southside MSP.

She added: “Of course, individual bus operators must reach their own decisions.”

The city’s seven MPs at Westminster have also condemned the fare rise which they have branded “inflation busting” and “shocking”

In a joint letter to Andrew Jarvis First Glasgow Managing Director, the six SNP MPs and one Labour MP urged the firm to abandon the rise and focus on delivering a better service.

The letters states:” It is disgraceful that fares for under 16s will rise by more than 40 per cent while unaccompanied child concession tickets have been axed altogether.

Even more shocking is that unemployed passengers will be hit with a 10 per cent hike in fares, which will also have an impact on their ability to get to interviews or sign on for benefits – which is hugely damaging to their livelihoods.”

First Bus were told that people do not believe they are receiving a fair deal for what they pay.

The MPs continued “Passengers rightly expect a reliable and regular service for the money they pay but there is widespread feeling amongst our constituents that this is not what they get in return for fares.”

Stewart McDonald, Glasgow South SNP MP co-ordinated the letter and laid a motion in Westminster condemning the decision.

Mr McDonald said: “Buses are vital in accessing employment, education and reducing our carbon footprint.

“The price rises reduce access to vital public services and makes the daily commute increasingly unaffordable.”

Graeme Macfarlan, Commercial Director for First Glasgow, said they were reviewing the 10p and 20p increases for the unemployed "in light of Job Centre closures."


He added: "The change to a number of fares incorporated a range of price freezes, price reductions and some price increases. As part of a number of initiatives to speed up journeys we have heavily incentivised the purchase of tickets on our mTicket app.

"Like many organisations, we recognise the importance of being mobile as part of everyday modern life. We are therefore urging our customers to switch to mobile ticketing, which will provide easier access to our services. 


“I acknowledge that some single tickets for children have increased from 70p to a £1, however, these have previously been held for a number of years. On reflection, given the recent closures of a number of Job Centres, it is our intention to review the proposed 10p and 20p increase in the tickets for the unemployed."