Hard-pressed public transport users have been handed a timely boost by the biggest bus firm in Leeds.
First today announced that it is freezing its fares across the city as well as the rest of West Yorkshire.
The move comes amid mounting anger at inflation-busting rail ticket price rises, introduced earlier this week.
It also follows the decision of another local bus operator, Arriva Yorkshire, to hike some prices.
A spokesman for First said: “We are happy to announce that we will be freezing the price of our fares.
“A comprehensive price freeze on all our tickets makes them value for money, especially at a time when fuel is expensive and people are returning to work after the Christmas break.”
First was unable to say how long the freeze would remain in place.
The operator last put up its fares at the beginning of 2012.
News of the freeze was welcomed today by Leeds West Labour MP Rachel Reeves, who has been a vocal campaigner for the city’s bus passengers to be given a better deal.
Ms Reeves said: “I am pleased First have chosen to freeze their fares, especially at a time when many working people and families in my constituency are feeling their incomes squeezed.
“I hope First will also continue to improve services for their passengers in other ways, as I am still receiving complaints regarding unreliable services in my area, which turns people away from bus travel.”
A number of Arriva Yorkshire’s single fares will go up by either 5p or 10p from Sunday, January 13.
Regulated rail fares, which include season tickets, rose by an average of 4.2 per cent nationwide on Wednesday.
The average regulated fare increase in West Yorkshire, however, was 6.2 per cent, due to a funding deal that provided extra carriages for the county. Click here to register and have your say on the stories and issues that matter to you
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