PLYMOUTH’S biggest bus company says it is on course to lose

£700,000 this year, as the city’s public transport links

struggle to keep up with spiralling fuel prices.

Plymouth Citybus has revealed their fuel costs have risen

almost 70 per cent in less than a year – and bosses are

desperate for help from the Government.

Other firms have also been hit hard – with Stagecoach

canceling a popular bus route, fishermen increasingly staying

on shore and taxi drivers struggling with costs.

Citybus has begun reducing prices in an effort to boost

passenger numbers, but has admitted tough times are ahead.

John Ackroyd, managing director, said: “At the moment, fuel

costs are affecting us severely. We’re looking at losing

£700,000 this year.”

Bus firms pay double the fuel duty of car users, which Mr

Ackroyd says has led to a rise in fuel costs to the company of

over 68 per cent.

However, he insisted no services would be cut and that many

fares had been reduced in a bid to boost passenger numbers to

offset the cost increases.

He added: “It would help if the Government rebated all the

fuel duty to Bus operators, as occurs within rail and air

travel.

“This would give a sustainable alternative to increasing fuel

charges.”

Another bus company, Stagecoach, are blaming the crisis for

their decision to withdraw the x45 service between Plymouth and

Paignton.

The bus will make its last journey on Saturday, July 26,

leaving users in stop-off points such as Ivybridge with the

“consolation prize” of a new hourly x38 service – the link

between Plymouth and Exeter.

Stagecoach in Devon’s operations director, Richard Stevens,

said: “We introduced the service last year and we’ve worked

very hard at making it a success.

“Unfortunately, a backdrop of rising costs means that it

cannot be sustained.

“Fuel prices have risen much faster than we can sustain.”

When asked which other routes are being affected by the fuel

crisis, Mr Stevens admitted: “Every single one.”

However, he insisted the bus company has no plans to pull any

other routes.

Cllr Frances Reeve, from Ivybridge Town Council, said: “I’m

very sad, as it was a popular service, but we’ll gratefully

accept our consolation prize.”

Cllr Reeve, who has been fighting for better transport links

to the town for years, added: “Hopefully, losing this service

will encourage First to improve their links to Ivybridge.”

First were unavailable for comment on the impact on its

services.

Meanwhile Dave Cuthbert, from the Plymouth Fisherman’s

Association, said many fishermen can’t afford the fuel to sail

as often as they used to.

He said: “Because of the petrol prices we’re having to be

careful about how often we go out.

“In 31 years in the industry I have never known things so

bad.”

A spokesperson for the Cremyll Ferry said rocketing fuel

prices had already led to an increase in their ticket

prices.

Taxi drivers are also facing a long, hard summer of high

petrol costs.

Taxifast driver Tania Cutts said: “I keep a full tank and can

get a couple of days out of it.

“Fuel prices have affected our profits but what can you do?

You just have to pay it.”