ANOTHER increase in bus fares will hit the pockets of the most vulnerable members of society, a councillor has claimed.

County councillor Tom Wells demanded an immediate meeting be held between Worcestershire's council officers and First Midland Red after he became aware of the proposed increases.

Council transport officers were instructed to demand explanations for the latest price rises, which follow similar increases last February and September.

The latest rise means passengers paying between 40p and £1.25 for a ticket will now pay an extra five pence.

Anyone who pays between £1.30 and £3.80 will now face a 10p increase.

But First Midland Red spokesman, Austin Birks, said a combination of escalating fuel costs, rising insurance claims and the need to increase pay to recruit and retain staff, were behind the fare rises.

He said the company had enjoyed a productive meeting with senior county council officers yesterday to thrash a way forward.

"As a consequence we feel we can galvanise the Worcestershire Quality Bus Partnership and introduce measures to make them more reliable and frequent and by so doing increasing patronage and thereby giving us the opportunity to develop bus fare initiatives to make bus travel more effective," he said.

But Coun Wells said he was appalled by this latest increase and had drawn little comfort from the outcome of yesterday's meeting.

"At a time of increased local government subsidies and frozen fuel duty, I believe this latest increase is completely unjustified," he said.

"The company's short-term objective for higher profits and larger dividends for shareholders is at the expense of the poor, elderly and disabled who rely on public transport to get around.

"They've agreed not to increase fares again this year. All increases do is encourage people back into their cars."

He said the county council felt that such increases were not within the spirit of the current national agenda, which seeks to improve the quality of service and encourage more passengers.

"It would appear First Midland Red are exploiting the virtual monopoly position they have previously been handed, and I believe the county council will now have to begin assessing the possibility of establishing its own bus fleet to serve the people of Worcestershire," added Coun Wells.