First hits back at Metro claims over bus cuts

First Group has defended itself against West Yorkshire PTE's claims that the number of fare-paying bus passengers in the area could drop by more than 5% in general and as much as 10% on certain routes as a result of fare rises, reductions in frequency and large-scale service cuts carried out by First.

Research carried out by Metro indicates that bus operator First could lose significant numbers of customers as the combined effects of an 8% fare rise in January 2008 and a further 8% in...