A massive rise in bus fares in the York area will see the price of some journeys rising by over 50 per cent from Sunday.

The increases have been branded outrageous by one irate passenger - and incredible by a driver. The price hike - the second time fares have increased this year - will see fares going up by seven per cent on average. It is part of a new zoned system designed to make fares simpler. Christina Watson, who journeys from Rowan Avenue, New Earswick, to work at the Royal York Hotel, said she faced an "outrageous"' 55p fare rise for the journey. And one anonymous driver said the increases were 'incredible' given recent problems, including flooding, on the buses. He said they would mean a return to York from New Earswick going up from £1.05 to £1.60 (more than a 50 per cent increase).

Brian Asquith, First York's managing director, admitted the new system would see average price increases of about seven per cent. But he said it would iron out anomalies, such as a journey from Poppleton to York city centre costing £1.90 while from Haxby, a similar distance away, it costs only £1.45.