First Aberdeen’s fares to increase for second time

ONE of Scotland’s largest bus companies is set to increase its fares for the second time in six months because of a cut in government subsidies.

First Aberdeen, part of the giant First Group, is to introduce the range of fare rises from 29 January on most of its routes. An adult standard stage one fare is to rise by 10 per cent.

A spokesman for the bus company said: “First Aberdeen is revising bus fares across its network from 29 January, due mainly to significant cuts in support that bus operators receive from the Scottish Government.

“The Scottish Government has announced that it will be implementing far-reaching cuts to its BSOG (Bus Service Operators Grant) scheme which partly refunds some of the excise duty bus operators pay on fuel.

BSOG, is used by bus operators to ensure fares are kept as low as possible.

“In addition, bus operators face a shortfall in funding from the Scottish Government’s concessionary fare scheme. Under the scheme, operators should receive two thirds of every concessionary fare.

However, the funding allocated by the Scottish Government is being capped and will run out. As a result, bus companies are having to absorb the shortfall and therefore receiving significantly less than the 67p per fare outlined by the Scottish Government.”

The cost of a 12-weekly adult season ticket has been frozen at £160.

But an adult stage 1 fare will increase by 10p to £1.10 and an adult off-peak day ticket will cost £4.20, an increase of 50p.