BUS fares in Oxfordshire have soared by up to 15 per cent.

Ticket prices on services run by Oxford Bus Company and Stagecoach have gone up by 20p on some routes.

Both companies swiftly defended the price-hike announced on the same day - saying fares had been kept low during the past few years.

Stagecoach marketing manager David Whitley said: "The fares all came down a lot during the so-called bus wars in 1995 and they had never gone up to their pre bus war levels. They are around about what they were before. All in all it is a fair increase.

"We are a business and if we do not make profits we cannot invest."

The increases are:

l5p on fares of 40p to 85p

l10p on most fares of more than 90p

l20p on many return fares

For instance, a round-trip from Kidlington to Oxford has risen from £1.30 to £1.50 - although the single fare has stayed at £1.

Oxford Bus Company marketing manager Jonathan Radley said: "Many return fares have gone up, but there are many that are still cheaper than they were several years ago.

"We have tried to keep fare rises as low as possible. Obviously the cost of fuel does go up.

"We have tried to look very carefully and adjust fares to meet the market."

Both companies have been investing heavily in new vehicles, including low-emission buses and buses with low chassis to help the disabled.

Oxford City Council wants to encourage more people to use buses into the city rather than their cars, but Alex Hollingsworth, chairman of its highways and traffic committee, said the increase was fair.

He said: "I don't remember the last time they went up. The fact that they haven't gone up for years is something to be applauded.

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