BUS fares are set to rise in the Valley from this Saturday in the latest “scandal” for consumers in Rossendale and Ramsbottom.

Bosses at Haslingden-based Rossendale Bus have announced that prices will increase for certain journeys in Lancashire and Greater Manchester by between 7.6 per cent and 22 per cent.

For £1.30 and £1.70 fares, the increase will be 10p in Lancashire, with the rest remaining mostly unchanged.

But in Ramsbottom and Summerseat, served by the likes of the 273 and 473 services, the hike will be more marked. The £1.80 ticket will rise to £2.20, the £2.20 fare to £2.40, the £2.70 to £3.00 and the £3.10 to £3.60, under the plans. The one-day rover ticket will also now cost £4.60 instead of £4.50.

A Rossendale Bus spokesman said that the decision had been made due to increased costs, such as fuel and insurance.

“We have kept these increases off for as long as possible and in most cases, this is our first fares revision since March 2011,” added the spokesman.

Coun Joanne Columbine, who represents Ramsbottom, said: “Bus fares are a local scandal.

“We pay more in the northern end of the borough than they do in the south.

“We are in a difficult position in Ramsbottom because we are a hostage to fortune as we are not connected to the trams network.”

Coun Jim Pilling, who represents Whitewell Bottom in Rossendale, said: “We can all see the rising cost of putting fuel in our tanks.

“Unfortunately it is another cost being imposed on people who rely on the bus for their every day business, just another added expense.”

But the bus company, which has the borough council as a major partner, often worked with residents where the provision of services was concerned, he added.