INCREASES to bus fares in Brentwood has angered local passengers.

First Bus announced they will be raising both the child and adult day tickets by 10p, to £2.50 and £3.50 respectively, and the adult weekly ticket by £1 to £15.

The changes take affect from January 5.

Brentwood Bus and Rail Users Association secretary David Kendall believes passengers will be angry with the hikes.

Mr Kendall said: "I am very disappointed to see these fare increases from First particulalry at a time when their services in Brentwood on routes 73 and the number 9 have been performing so badly.

"Passengers have had to put up with buses not turning up, frequent delays and poor customer service and now they are going to be hit with this fare increase.

"First need to reconnect with the needs of their passengers and start providing decent reliable bus services."

Bosses at First Bus said a number of factors meant they had to go ahead with the increases.

A spokesman said: "The current economic climate is extremely challenging, particularly for transport providers.

"Costs on fuel and parts for vehicles have risen dramatically in recent years, and it's always regrettable when customers are impacted negatively by minor fare revisions such as these."