BUS fares are set to rise for pupils in Rossendale who go to school in Greater Manchester.

Historically pupils from Bacup, Edenfield, Stubbins and Whitworth, travelling to the likes of Rochdale and Bury for their education, benefitted from a flat 80p fare.

But with Greater Manchester Passenger Transport Executive (GMPTE) struggling to plug a £20million budget black hole, the discount rate is being withdrawn from Monday Transport bosses have blamed the decision on the impact of free off-peak travel for the elderly and disabled.

Half-fares will now apply for the part of the journey in Greater Manchester.

Ticket prices for the Lancashire leg will depend on children’s travel status with the county.

Michael Renshaw, GMPTE’s bus director, said: “While the previous extensions provided some benefits to people travelling in from small areas just outside of Greater Manchester, they also presented practical and administrative complexities and were inconsistent with (our) administrative boundary.”