PARK & Ride fares are set to rise by the end of the month.

First York is to increase the price of adult single and return tickets by ten pence, making the new fares £1.70 for a single and £1.80 for returns.

The changes, which will be introduced before the end of September, were approved by councillors at a meeting of the transport and planning advisory panel last night.

Prices of Park & Ride smartcards will also go up. The adult return smartcard will increase by seven pence to £1.60, while the weekly smartcard will go from £6.80 to £7.

But it is better news for people who use York's Park & Ride service to commute on a long-term basis.

The monthly smartcard will reduce in price from £27.80 to £25. An annual ticket for the service will be introduced, costing £250.

The bus service is currently used by 1.8 million passengers. Council chiefs say they are on target for reaching 2.1 million passengers by 2006.

First York had considered introducing a child fare, which would have cost 85p for a single and 90p for a return. But the plans were abandoned during negotiations with council officers who said they felt the introduction of child fares was unacceptable.

Updated: 10:52 Thursday, September 04, 2003