HAVING just returned for the day from my job based in Warrington town centre, I feel compelled to write a letter regarding the new bus fares that have been imposed by Network Warrington.

I was appalled to hear of the price rise and expected some of my fellow commuters to be equally shocked at yet another price rise.

But as we were all charged an extra 45p, all I observed was a few disappointed sighs and shrugs of the shoulders.

It would seem that most of Warrington’s commuters have come to accept the fact that we are all paying extortionate travel rates in this town.

I am in my early 20s and have lived in Warrington for the majority of my life, using buses to travel around the town.

I feel the need to speak on behalf of those my age and younger who will bear the brunt of the price rise.

So here are some of the new ticket prices put into context for you.

If you earn the adult minimum wage of £6.50 per hour – which I do – then the new cost of an adult day rover (£5.95) will cost almost an hour’s wage.

This is much more expensive than day tickets for the Halton area (£3.80), Greater Manchester (£4.20) and an Arriva North West day saver (£5.20).

If you are 20 and earn the 18 to 21 minimum wage of £5.13 an hour, then you won’t qualify for a student ticket and will likely have to work more than an hour to pay for a day ticket.

And we won’t benefit from George Osborne’s new living wage either, as you have to be 25 to receive it.

Weekly tickets are no better. For my journey from Padgate to the bus station, it costs £5 per day for a return.

If I am using the bus five days a week, it actually works out cheaper to buy this return daily, rather than buy a weekly ticket for £25.50.

Surely the point of a weekly ticket should be to help travellers save money?

I am well aware that commuters of all ages are suffering the effects of the price hike, but it seems that those of us between 20 and 25 are taking the biggest hit.

ELEANOR WEBSTER

Cinnamon Brow