YELLOW Buses has been criticised for a hike of almost a quarter in the price of children’s travel passes.

A 30-day network top-up on the company’s Glo payments cards now costs £49 – up from £40.

The move follows a rise from £35 to £40 a little over a year ago.

One father with a son at the Grange School in Christchurch called the price rise “scandalous” and said many parents were voicing their anger about the hike.

“They were doing all this PR about bringing back open topped buses but it looks like they were hiding this price hike,” he said.

“To raise it from £40 to £49 when it’s a captive audience who have very little choice but to put our kids on the bus, it seems like it’s profiteering.”

He added: “A lot of children don’t get their transport funded by a local authority. There are a lot who have to pay for their children’s travel.”

A statement from Paul Wren, Yellow Buses’ commercial director, said: “We held the price of the 30-day children’s Glo card for 15 months before the recent increase.

“The rise simply reflects the commercial and economic realities we are facing as operators.

“However, the Glo card remains the cheapest option and we believe still represents excellent value for money.”