First Bus to increase ticket prices months after announcing fare freeze

First Bus is to increase ticket prices across Glasgow just months after introducing a fare freeze.

First Glasgow will be increasing the cost of selected fares after deeming their previously introduced price cap as “unsustainable”.

The price hike is due to be introduced from August 4 and will impact Two-Trip, Weekly and 4 Week tickets.

First Bus said their price cap introduced in March was “unsustainable” due increasing inflationary pressures related to rising fuel, energy, parts, and labour costs.

Under the increase, the Adult Two-Trip City/Local tickets move from £5 to £5.20, the Adult FirstWeek City/Local tickets rise from £20.40 to £22.50, and the Adult First4Week City/Local tickets will increase by just over £2 per week from £61.80 to £70.

The company previously introduced a 3% increase on single, day and month-plus tickets bought on a bus or via the First Bus app.

Fares previously increased will remain the same.

First Glasgow said that the increases were “essential” in allowing the operator to deliver and grow services throughout Greater Glasgow.

Graeme Macfarlan, commercial director for First Bus Scotland, said: “At a time when other operators and rail were increasing their fares across the board, we chose to freeze our fares across a number of our ticket options earlier in the year as we wanted to absorb the inflationary rises we were experiencing in to benefit our customers.

“Unfortunately, this has reached a level where it is unsustainable and we’re regrettably having to implement a change to those specific fares.

“Like so many other transport providers, we’re facing significant rising costs across our operations, and fare increases reflect that. Nonetheless, we have strived to keep increases to a minimum.

“We have a diverse range of tickets available to customers meaning there is a product to suit everyone’s travel needs.

“Bus remains one of the cheapest, most convenient, and sustainable ways of travelling around Glasgow.

“Through investment in new electric buses and on-board technology, we’re making great efforts to make it an even more comfortable and environmentally friendly mode of transport for the city.”