Parents anger at rise in bus fares

UNFARE . . . (from the left) Joanne Shallicker and her daughter Kate, Oliver and Bethany Russell and their mum Nicola

ANGRY parents have blasted bus fare hikes after concessionary price increases were brought in for children this week.

Flat-fare concessions, enjoyed by school pupils for almost four decades, have been scrapped by Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) due to Government spending cuts.

But parents say the prices are now too expensive, drivers are unsure of what to charge, and the price hike should only apply at certain times.

Joanne Shallicker, from Springhead, whose daughter Kate (12) uses the bus to go to Saddleworth School, said prices have gone up 75 per cent.

She said: “It used to cost £1.60 a day to school and back but now it has gone up to £1.40 per journey.

“If it was an increase of 10p or 20p, you’d take it on the chin but it’s such a large rise.”

Pupils can still buy a £8.50 concession weekly ticket for First bus services and Stott’s Tours services, which works out at 85p per journey to school, but must apply for an igo identity card first.

The mum-of-two said she has already forked out £5 for an igo card and another £5 in passport photos so Kate can get the concessionary fare.

She said some parents are considering letting their children share a taxi to school to cut costs.

“It’s costing us £14 a week, and that’s for a journey at 7.45am where there are no available seats.

“Myself and my husband can’t drive her to school as we both have to be in work by 8am. We’re being penalised for working.”

Nicola Russell, from Den Lane, Springhead, has two children, Bethany (14) and Russell (12), at Saddleworth School.

She said: “There is total inconsistency with the prices as some children have been charged £1.20 and others £1.40 for the same journey.

“I could just about afford the previous prices but now it’s going to cost me over £100 a month to send them to school. The concessionary rise should only apply after 5pm and at weekends.”

A spokesman for First said the changes had caused minor teething problems but they would be rectified over the next few days.

Susan Wildman, of TfGM, said: “We have worked to provide as much information as possible. This has included online guides at www.tfgm.com. There is also a wide range of new discounted tickets available to concession holders which should help to ease concerns.”