Bus travellers face further service losses as Ipswich Buses follows First Group in axing routes because of fuel increases and the recession.

IPSWICH: Bus travellers face further service losses as Ipswich Buses follows First Group in axing routes because of fuel increases and the recession.

The company is also increasing from tomorrow the Ipswich zone fare by 10p to �1.80, and a child's ticket from 90p to �1.

The “early riser” service used by commuters and shift workers is to be withdrawn. Originally started as a service to convey Ipswich Buses' staff to its depot in Constantine Road, route 40 is now a public route.

However the company's managing director Malcolm Robson said: “It carries an average of 16 people a day but has failed to meet commercial viability.”

Route 13 from Tower Ramparts to Chantry and Tesco's at Copdock is being reduced from six journeys an hour to five Mondays to Saturdays.

Last week, First Group blamed the turbulent economic climate for an overhaul of its town and country services.

From November 15, the hourly services on routes 63 to Framlingham and 65 to Rendlesham - both via Woodbridge Road - are to be reduced to a two hour frequency.

The Ipswich railway station to Kesgrave and Martlesham Heath superoute 66, also via Woodbridge Road, will no longer operate through the night, the last journey leaving the town centre at 12.45am connecting with the last train from London.

Route 62 to Bixley from the town centre via Felixstowe Road is being reduced from three buses to two buses an hour and there are to be cuts on service 87 to Stowupland and the 88 to Stowmarket, both via Norwich Road.

The borough council's Labour group predicted the fares increases would drive more people away from the town centre, which had already been hit with the closure of Crown Street car park.

“Bus fares have increased significantly in the five years since Labour was running the council,” John Cook. “There has been a 64 per cent rise from �1.10 to �1.80, when during the same time, inflation has been 13.5pc.”