BUS passengers have been dealt a double whammy this week with sweeping fare increases and news of cuts in daytime services from September.

A major shake-up by First bus company could see a "significant" cut in the bus fleet, meaning frequency reductions on most services.

As the news prompted concern from passengers and councillors, bus drivers now fear for their jobs after receiving a letter on the changes from First managing director Ian Humphries.

Drivers are holding a union meeting tomorrow.

In a statement, the bus firm said: "First has faced some significant challenges in Redditch, especially over the last five years with recruitment problems, assaults on staff and reductions in services. All have impacted on the viability of the business.

"A revised network will be put into place which will reduce the size of the bus fleet in Redditch, potentially impacting on depot staffing levels.

"However, detailed discussions are presently taking place with officers of Redditch Council and Worcestershire County Council so, unfortunately, precise details cannot yet be confirmed."

It added: "Today, the company faces some serious problems. Recent initiatives have tried to overcome the basic, common problem of commercial services losing money and not making money.

"We have therefore put together a recovery programme which must be made to work."

But First's Dawid Maciejewski said rumours that up to 40 jobs will go and the fleet slashed by half were unfounded as the full extent of the changes were still being worked out.

But one disenchanted driver, who did not wish to be named, said: "Morale is at rock bottom.

"Drivers are very worried at losing their overtime as well.

"It just seems they're putting profits before passengers."

County principal transport customer services officer Ken Radbourne said 13 or 14 routes could be affected.

While some could see service frequencies cut from 20 minutes to half-hour or half-hour to an hour, other routes are likely to see duplicated services removed.

For example, he said, where a 67 to Studley and a 246 which passes through Studley run at similar times, the 67 service would be axed but passengers could still use the 246.

The 59 via the Alexandra Hospital will be replaced by amended 57 and 58 routes, which will take on that role. Their frequency should not be affected.