BUS firm bosses have been accused of “choosing greed over need” as residents brace themselves for increased fares, despite a cost of living crisis.

First Bus has announced it will be increasing fare costs across south Essex from Saturday.

A Southend Metro adult day ticket is going up to £4.50 – up 20p – while an adult week ticket will now be £17 – up £1 – and an adult four-week ticket is rising to £55 from £53.

Woodside resident and former councillor Stephen Aylen, 65, said: “These bus companies are choosing greed over residents’ needs.

“At a moment when they are reducing services and axing routes, the prices are going up.

“Even 20p at the moment is a lot. People are so worried about money with what is happening, and every little bit makes a big difference.”

Southend resident Demi-Lousie Bailey asked: “I wonder if this money will help them run their services on time? Or enough services to cope with demand?”

In the last 12 months, the cost of diesel has risen 40p per litre, according to RAC data, which may account for the pricing.

Southend councillor Daniel Cowan said: “The increase in costs is passed on to customers, that’s an unsurprising move by a private company.

“However, when fuel prices drop and they don’t drop their prices I wonder if they’ll pass on the profits to their staff or by keeping routes open?”

In Basildon, the “tap and cap” shuttle area fares are also going up.

While the price of the first tap is unchanged at £2.50, there are increases to the price of the second tap, up to £2 with the daily cap moved up to £6.50 – increases of 50p.

Within the Basildon shuttle area, the maximum adult return fare on routes 22 and 28 to Tarpots, Southend and Canvey will increase to £4.50.

Other costs changes will see a Basildon adult week ticket go up from £2 to £26 while a four-week ticket will be increased by £5 to £85; the Basildon inner day adult ticket is rising 50p to become £6.50.

“It’s a lot of money for people to be having to fork out right now on top of everything else,” Basildon councillor Kerry Smith said.

First Bus was contacted for comment following the criticism from residents.