A CARNFORTH man has renewed his calls for a public inquiry into local bus services after the latest price rise by local bus company Stagecoach.

John Scaife wants to launch a campaign to examine the firm's strategy, which, he says, undermine local public

Mr Scaife said: "Following the latest round of bus fare increases by Stagecoach, due to be introduced on Sunday, January 27, I think that this public inquiry is now essential.

"With a return fare of approximately £4 on the number five service between Carnforth and Morecambe now a reality, this will spell the axe for this service, a service I rely heavily on.

"These bus services are deliberately run down in order to axe them, as in the case of the number five service between Carnforth and Morecambe.

"Do you realise that anyone who lives in Carnforth and works in Morecambe cannot get a bus until after 8am in a morning? In this day and age that is just not on.

"Also, a word of caution to all regular commuters, remember the last time that Stagecoach put up its fares, remember all the problems with the ticket machines? Well Stagecoach knew about the fares going up four weeks prior to the increases coming into effect, and they still couldn't programme the ticket machines correctly and in time.

Don't say you haven't been warned!"

Another angry Citizen reader, Elsie Baxter said: "I'm fed up with travelling on cold and dirty busses.

I think its disgusting that fares are going up again but there is nothing we can do about it because they are a virtual monopoly and we can't take our business elsewhere."

Stagecoach's commercial director for the North-West, Chris Bowles, said the price rises were necessary to ensure the quality and number of services continued.

He added: "We regret having to put the fares up as well.

We have to do it because our costs are rising much faster than the conventional rate of inflation, particularly in the form of wages and insurance."

He was concerned that the price rises could potentially deter customers, and added: "What we are trying to do is to raise the profile of our investment in the Lancaster area."

Mr Bowles also assured passengers that this year's price changes were much better organised and can be carried out without hitches.