Passengers are set to be hit by rocketing bus fares with increases of as much as 77 per cent being rolled out across the district.
The price hike by Shropshire County Council has been put down to rising operating costs with fuel in particular being blamed.
The increase will be phased in over the next 12 months with the first stage planned for Monday (September 1).
But councillors have expressed concern over the increase which they believe could hit young families particularly hard.
The increase will see town services in the four market towns rise to a flat fare of 55p. In Wem a bus ride is 33p but it will rise by 66 per cent to 55p.
In Whitchurch the two town service fares are 39p and 42p. Ellesmere will see the largest increase of 77 per cent as tickets are currently 31p.
Bus services operated by Arriva will be unaffected by the increase.
A spokesperson from Shropshire County Council said: “As you can see the increases are relatively small and 55p still reflects excellent value for money for local travel.”
Jon Hayes, who is a team leader for the council’s passenger transport policy, said: “In general the longer length rural services are increasing by approximately 10 percent although this does vary across the network. This staged fares increase is necessary to enable subsidised bus services to be sustainable in to the future.”
Geoff Elner, Ellesmere mayor, said it seemed unjust the percentage increase was highest in Ellesmere. “I will bring it up at the town council meeting on Monday,” he said.
Pauline Dee, Wem mayor, also expressed concern over the increase. She added that blaming fuel costs seemed unusual as Wem was a small town to cover compared to other areas.
The subsidised town service in Wem and Whitchurch is run by Bennetts Travel. Paul Blount, transport manager for the company, said: “I wouldn’t have thought we would have been consulted as the service we provide is sponsored by the county council so it’s up to them.”
The Ellesmere town service is operated by Lakeside Coaches. A spokesperson from the company said they did not wish to comment on the fare increase.
