BUS operator First have announced increases to fares, which come into force next week.

The changes affect longer journeys which involve crossing fare zones. They do not affect Bristol and Bath city centres or passengers opting for paperless ticketing.

People who use mTickets and First’s Touch Smart Cards will see all their prices frozen and several new tickets will be made available.

The following tickets bought on bus, at a First Travel Shop or via PayPoint will now cost:

- Bristol and Bath Outer Zones

o Day - £6.50

o Week - £23.80

o Month - £86.40

o Year - £907

o 10 Journey - £27

o Family Day (5 people max 2 adults) - £13

- West of England Zone

o Day - £7.50

o Week - £27

o Month - £103.50

o Year - £1,134

o Family (5 people max 2 adults) - £15

Single tickets across the West of England will not change.

James Freeman, managing director of First West of England said: “Obviously we do not like putting any prices up and we have tried to keep this adjustment to a minimum. We introduced our Fairer Fares campaign two years ago in the Bristol Inner Zone, we later extended this to Bath and the rest of the West of England. While the initiative has been very successful in the urban areas of Bristol and Bath, the price reductions for longer journeys have not encouraged additional travel in the same way. Even after this adjustment longer distance fares will, in most instances, still be lower than they were two years ago.”

Fares listed are for an adult whereas children aged 5-15 will receive a 50 per cent discount. Youngsters aged 16-21 or students with a Student ID receive a 30 per cent discount.

All fare changes come into effect on Sunday, September 13.