Bus fares to Brighton to rise

Not only are rail fares steadily on the rise, Brighton & Hove bus fares are set to increase too, from September 18.

The numbers 28 and 29 on the Brighton route will rise to £3.20 for a 1-Day Super Saver ticket online, £3.50 from shops and Post Offices and £4 when bought on the bus (formerly £3.70).

There will also be increases to other fares and season tickets, with a seven-day ticket rising a pound more from shops and online, and a short hop single journey up 20p (£1.20) or 10p (£1.70) in the city centre.

The company blames the hike in prices on increased fuel costs after the group's fixed fuel prices arrangement comes to an end, they say "we now have to pass on the increases in fuel which we've been able to absorb until now."

Meanwhile Southern Railway are trialing their new Smartcard technology on the Seaford to Brighton route which passes through Lewes. Called 'the key' the card is being trialed on some 100 commuters over the course of three months.

The company say the benefits of the key are:

• Simple – easier to use

• Save – smarter tickets, smarter fares

• Speedy – avoid the queues

• Safe – your tickets are protected

Seems whichever way you chose to travel on public transport higher costs lay in wait.