COMMUTERS will be hit with bus fare hikes in the new year.

First, which operates the majority of Essex’s buses, blames the increase on rising fuel and mechanical costs for its vehicles.

A series of hikes for long-term tickets have been announced. In Colchester, day inner zone tickets will rise 10p to £3.60, while a 12- journey ticket will go up 50p to £18.50. A new family ticket will be introduced at £5.

Weekly adult and child, and adult monthly travel in Colchester will remain the same, as will a child day ticket.

In Clacton, adult day tickets will be 70p cheaper at £5, while a weekly ticket will be reduced by £4 to £16. A weekly child ticket will increase by 50p to £14.

A First spokesman said: “It’s always regrettable when customers are impacted negatively by minor fare revisions such as these.”

For more information, visit www.firstgroup.com/ukbus/essex or call 08456 020121.