Children's bus fares to go up 10p

The increase from 40p to 50p is the first hike in children’s fares in eight years.

Councillors at South Yorkshire Integrated Transport Authority voted at their latest meeting to approve the move.

Further 10p rises could follow in 2012 and 2013 as the authority makes savings across the board.

The meeting was told that despite the increase, child fares across South Yorkshire would still be among the lowest outside of London.

A report to councillors said: “"If child bus fares had gone up with inflation in the past eight years, they would already be 60p, rather than the 40p they have been held at.

“Following April 2013, the fare will be monitored to ensure that it remains competitive and linked, broadly, to inflation.”

Almost £1 million less will be available for funding concessionary travel in 2011/2 after an 11.6 per cent cut in funding across the county.