First Bus Glasgow and Aberdeen increases fares amid 'rising fuel and maintenance costs'

First Bus will increase some of its fares across Glasgow and Aberdeen amid rising fuel and maintenance costs.

The bus operator confirmed fares, including its Two-Trip, Day and Weekly tickets, will change from March 30.

Inflationary pressures, as well as rising fuel and maintenance costs, have been cited as reasons for the hike.

On services across Glasgow, adult day city/local tickets will move from £5.60 to £5.90; two-trip city/local tickets are increasing from £5.20 to £5.60; and adult week city/local tickets will go from £22.50 to £24.50.

In Aberdeen, adult day tickets will move from £5.30 to £5.55; two-trip tickets are increasing from £4.90 to £5.25, and adult weekly tickets will go from £24.00 to £25.50.

Both cities will also see changes to single tickets, First Unlimited, and selected other fares.

The increases come as First Bus works towards making its Glasgow fleet completely electric, with more new electric buses entering the network in the coming weeks.

The bus operator said it will also make a “significant investment” in resourcing additional drivers on routes in Glasgow, as congestion alone costs the company over £10m each year.

First Bus also confirmed a £12.7m investment would bring 36 more zero-emission buses to Aberdeen, including 24 new electric buses and 12 repower buses.

Graeme Macfarlan, commercial director for First Bus Scotland, said the increases come as transport operators face “substantial inflationary pressures across the board”.

“We want our customers to know that we will continue to invest in our operations. Our end goal is always to keep improving services and make sure that our passengers can access reliable public transport,” he said.

“Bus is one of the cheapest, most practical, and green ways to travel. By introducing new electric buses and new ways to make our timetables more efficient, we’re working hard to make Aberdeen’s bus network a comfortable and eco-friendly way of getting from A to B.”