CHRISTCHURCH Borough Council says local taxpayers will be footing the bill after bus fares in west Christchurch were increased to £4 for a single journey.

From December 1, passengers using the C1 and C2 services have had to pay £4 for a single fare with no return tickets issued although the bus company is offering users a weekly ticket for £5.

Cllr Alan Griffiths, leader of Christchurch council said: “It’s outrageous. Not only will it hit passengers without a concessionary travel pass who will now pay £8 for a return journey from River Way to Woodhayes Avenue instead of £2.70, but all Christchurch Council Tax payers will have to foot the bill for the increase in the fares charged to us for concessionary travel.

“Instead of paying £2 for each return journey made with a travel pass we will now have to pay Wilts & Dorset £4, which goes totally against the aim of the concessionary travel scheme.

“We are checking the legality of this move and have written to Wilts & Dorset to protest strongly.”

The restricted service, which has attracted criticism from residents in St Catherine’s Hill and River Way, operates three times a day, five days a week with no service on Saturday and Sunday.

Ian Wright, a retired company director who lives in St Catherine’s said: “Wilts & Dorset are being reactive not proactive.

“I’ve seen people getting off the bus and walking rather than pay the inflated fares. The bus is increasingly seen as the last resort with people clinging on to their cars and it will only get worse with a service like this. Communities are left isolated.”

Chris Harris, public relations manager at Wilts & Dorset said: “The revised fare structure for the C1 and C2 was discussed at length with Christchurch Borough Council and Dorset County Council who understand that this is the best way to ensure that the service can continue.”