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Lothian Buses has announced that fares will go up next month on its Lothian, Lothiancountry and EastCoastbuses services.

The price of an adult single ticket will go up by six per cent from £1.70 to £1.80, while child tickets will be raised by 12.5 per cent from 80p to 90p.

The cost of a family day ticket will increase by 12 per cent from £8.50 to £9.50.

Airport fares will not be increased.

Lothian Buses commercial director Nigel Serafini said: “Lothian is committed to providing environmentally sustainable, best value travel.

"As our operating costs continue to rise and we continue to invest in fleet, people, training and our customer offering, we will be making changes to fares from 2 February."

But some readers were not happy to hear the news.

"I struggle to understand how fares can go up every year, without the equal balance of a service improvement, such as faster buses, trams that don’t feel like an oven during summer, and trains that work. If that’s too much to ask for don’t keep asking us to pay more each year," wrote one reader on Facebook.

Another added: "I wouldn't mind if I got a seat on the bus, it's always rammed, sometimes there's not even room to hold on to anything and they have the cheek to charge for the service. For these times/routes put more buses on if you are increasing the fares."

One asked why Edinburgh does not have an Oyster card system: "Bit steep. Why is there not a Oyster card system like London, pay for how far you travel rather that £1.80 for a single."

Environmental impact

Other readers were concerned about the impact of increased fares on the environment.

One wrote on Twitter: "So @Edinburgh_CC hate cars, they are at war with car drivers and want everyone off the roads and on buses, @on_lothianbuses are cashing in big time, it’s a total con job between the two of them. If the council want people on buses then the price should be going down."

Another added: "Luxembourg has made public transport free to encourage people to use rather than bring their cars in to the city to help climate change. Maybe Edinburgh could learn something from this."

But other readers defended the fare increase.

"It's the way things go. Fares have to increase from time to time to pay for rising fuel prices and other increased costs. Just like anything else we pay for. And truthfully, Lothian buses fares are still great value, compared to costs running a car," said one.

Another added: "Plenty option on tickets (family, dayticket, tourist ticket ect) and 21st century payment options. It's a great service and I'm more then happy to pay for it!"

Cheaper than elsewhere

Some compared Lothian Buses to other bus services in Scotland, and in the rest of the UK.

One wrote: "First bus single fare Grangemouth to Falkirk is the best part of £3.70... depending on what bus stop you travel from/to... so I say £1.80 single for Lothian busses to travel anywhere in the city on one fare is great value for money!"

Another compared Lothian Buses to services in England: "When I'm home, I absolutely amazed that folk in Edinburgh can complain about Lothian's prices and services. Here in Sheffield, we have a choice between Stagecoach and First. Both much more expensive than Lothian, both much less reliable than Lothian."

Readers react to Lothian Bus fare increases from next month