MetroCard prices will rise by around 8% from Sunday 20 July.

Full details of the new prices can be found on the MetroCard pages of this site.

Metro Chairman Councillor Chris Greaves has condemned the West Yorkshire bus companies’ insistence on the price rise, which they have blamed on rising oil prices.

“We know that both First and Arriva have secured fuel prices significantly below the current rate until at least the end of 2008, but they are using the current high prices as an excuse to impose another price rise on passengers,” he said.

“I fear this will have the effect of undermining the integrated ticketing MetroCard provides in favour of their own single company products,” alleged Councillor Greaves.

“Is it any wonder that fare-paying bus passenger numbers in West Yorkshire hit a new low last year when the bus companies use every opportunity to put up prices, while at the same time cutting services?”

“At a time when many people are feeling the pinch of rising prices at the petrol pump and are turning to public transport alternatives, the bus companies are looking to make a quick buck out of them on behalf of their shareholders rather than take the long-term view and encourage people on to buses.

Councillor Greaves went on to say that he wanted to see Metro have greater control over West Yorkshire bus services including fares, frequencies of services and levels of quality provided.

“Bus operators should not be allowed to continue treating their customers, many of who have no choice but to use buses, with this kind of contempt,” he said.