Opposition mounts to flat rate bus fare

proposals for a flat rate fare.

Jenny Langston said the company wants to introduce the £1 rate for all buses to help meet petrol costs.

She said: "The people of Brighton and Hove now see the effects of this Government's stealth tax on fuel.

"Disguised as making it easier for drivers to handle the money, this increase will go some way to cover for the high cost of fuel for the bus company."

Jenny Langston, who hopes to oust Hove MP Ivor Caplin at the next election, added the flat rate is just another increase faced by bus passengers.

She said: "There is a massive 25 per cent increase in bus fares in the town centre and an end to free travel for Bus ID and ID+ holders.

"Increasing town centre fares will do nothing to encourage people to travel to town by bus."

The £1 flat rate fare will be introduced in the New Year on an experimental basis lasting four months.

Existing £1.50 and £1.30 fares from the outlying areas will cost £1 from January, but town centre travel will go up 20 pence on the current 80p fare.

Brighton and Hove Bus Company says the reduction in fares from outlying areas will make travelling to the town centre more attractive.

Thousands of passengers from Shoreham, Mile Oak, Hangleton, Patcham, Hollingbury, Coldean, Woodingdean, Rottingdean, Saltdean and Newhaven will have their bus fares cut.

Managing director Roger French said: "We believe the new reduced fare will act as a great incentive for motorists driving into the town centres from these residential areas to switch to travelling by bus.

"The £1 fare will become very attractive compared with the high cost of petrol, insurance and parking."

Managers hope the rise in short-distance fares does not put off thousands of people. But to combat this they plan to introduce a number of bargains for short distance travellers shopping at local centres with most routes offering a return for the price of a single.

The trial starts on January 7 and lasts until April 28.