Bus passengers face another fare increase on services in west Dorset.

After a round of swingeing bus cuts announced this autumn, prices for some journeys operated by First Wessex have gone up.

The firm describes this as a ‘minor’ fare change which will affect some single and return tickets for children and adults.

It comes a year after most fares increased by 50p across the local First bus network.

Bridport-Dorchester fares are increasing – £5 to £5.50 for an adult single and £6 to £6.50 for an adult return. The child fare single ticket is up to £4 (return not affected).

Lyme Regis to Axminster fares are also affected.

First points out that a return fare can be used on multiple trips.

The fare increase comes after the company introduced its winter timetable cutting the number of local services.

Matthew Callow, commercial manager for First Wessex, said: “Following our annual fare review, the company decided to increase a small number of fares to reflect the rising operational costs of running a bus operation.Our local bus services in Dorset are operated 100 per cent commercially, without any form of subsidy, and these increases are important and ensure that our business remains commercially sustainable in the long run.”

Mr Callow added: “Only a fraction of fares will see an increase; 97 per cent of fares are unaffected, and regular customers benefit from our season period tickets which are available on our popular mTicket app and offer a substantial cost saving to buying singles or returns.”

The West Dorset Western Area Transport Action Group (WATAG) will be holding their next meeting on Thursday, November 22 at the WI Hall in North Street, Bridport, where this topic will be discussed, along with reports from Dorset Travel and local bus operators.

Philip Sankey, chairman of WATAG, said: “We expect to hear how people have been affected by the recent changes on the Bridport, Beaminster, Yeovil corridor and hope to report on some discussions that have been taking place.”

Visit www.watag.org.uk for more information.