A bus company has had to raise its fares due to increased costs and a shortage of drivers, writes Phil Clee.

The Oxford Bus Company has increase fares by 5p or 10p on most of its routes.

It claims the rounding up of fares to the next 10p makes it easier for driver and passengers alike, and makes for a quicker, more efficient service.

The company recently reduced services because it was short of staff.

The company's marketing manager, Jonathan Radley, said that in addition to chasing potential staff at a time of full employment, they had had to face "significantly increased" fuel costs over recent months.

The fare rise was only announced by putting up posters on buses.

Mr Radley explained: "With 140 buses, we use a vast amount of diesel, and it now costs us 14,000 a week more in fuel costs compared with October last year. We are also under severe pressure where staffing is concerned, and we've had to increase our wage bill far more than we budgeted for.

"With nil unemployment in Oxford, we have had to keep our wage rates on a par with other employers, and as a result, we must be offering the highest rates in the UK." Mr Radley said the new 'zonal fare' structure was based around half a dozen key fares, which now ranged from between 40p and 1.40p. The most common fare previously 85p would now cost 5p more.

He added: "We're attempting to keep more fares together to end in 10p, to make it easier for passengers and drivers.

"It can take a long time for people to board a bus when they are sorting through their change to find the odd 5p.

"One thing I hate doing is putting fares up, but sometimes we have to do it, unfortunately."

Meanwhile, rivals Stagecoach are still debating whether or not to follow the same route.

Manager David Whitley admitted: "We haven't decided yet. We face the same problem in terms of increased costs, but we're still discussing it at the moment."