BUS passengers will be hit with another inflation-busting price rise in the New Year.

From January 2, First is putting up its fares by 10p on all single journeys, while the FirstDay ticket goes up 20p to £3.70.

The FirstWeek ticket moves from £13 to £14, and the FirstMonth price goes up by £5 to £50. The FirstAnnual ticket, bought by direct debit in ten monthly instalments, is £50 per month with two months free.

It is the eighth raft of fare increases by First in the last three and a half years, although the price of other tickets has been frozen.

Simon Bennett, First's network director for bus operations in Greater Manchester, said: "The increase in price is regrettable, but necessary, as a result of increases in fuel costs, staff wage inflation (including pension costs), and continuing investments in systems to improve comfort and security for customers and staff.

"We have worked hard to minimise the impact of the realignment, such that within the new structure there are no increases to child, concessionary or family tickets, and our FirstDay, FirstWeek, and FirstMonth tickets remain highly competitive with other value tickets available in Greater Manchester."

He added: "We are currently investing in a programme of "Advanced Defensive Driver Training" for each of our drivers. In addition we are continuing to invest in new vehicles, with 200 double deck vehicles due for delivery between April 2008 and March 2010."