BUS passengers using some routes between York and East Yorkshire are facing a fare increase.

Bus company EYMS has announced an increase of approximately five per cent on standard single and return tickets on some routes, and a bigger increase on daily, weekly, monthly and multi-journey passes.

The change is due to come into effect on Sunday.

Services that will be affected are the East Yorkshire 18 route between York and Holme-on-Spalding Moor, the X46 and X47 services to Pocklington and Hull, and the other East Yorkshire services to Pocklington, Market Weighton, Barmby Moor, Huggate and Bridlington.

The chairman of EYMS, Peter Shipp, blamed the increases on the rising costs of insurance and fuel, and particularly on the costs of covering pension fund problems.

Mr Shipp said: "Most people know that the majority of pension funds have been badly hit by falling share values, and EYMS is not immune from these big problems."

He expressed regret at the rise in fares, the first in the area since July 2002, but insisted there was "no option" but to increase ticket prices.

Updated: 10:58 Tuesday, April 08, 2003