BUS fares will be slashed and price caps introduced from this week under plans drawn up by two councils. 

From Sunday, September 25, operator First West of England will reduce the price of a return and day ticket, as well as capping single fares and reducing child fares across the region.

The scheme, funded by North Somerset Council and the West of England Combined Authority (WECA), hopes to change travel patterns and make fares 'fairer for all' during the cost-of-living crisis. 

It was secured as part of the two council's successful bid for funding from the government’s Bus Back Better scheme.

READ MORE: Councillors demand First Bus bosses 'reverse cuts now'

A flat £1 fare will be introduced for all child single journeys, for those aged between 5 and 15.

From this week, adult single fares will be capped at £3.70, which currently stand at around £4.50.

Two-trip tickets will also get cheaper by 50p in First's 'west of England zone' with its day ticket and Avon rider reduced to £7.00.

Under the scheme, the 'night ticket' will be discontinued.

However, flexible ticket bundles will increase from Sunday.

Student discounts will also be reduced from 30 per cent to 25 per cent too.

Managing director of First West of England, Doug Claringbold, said: "With rising living costs, we are delighted that the combined authority and North Somerset Council have been able to provide operators in the region with financial support that enables significant reductions to these key West of England fares."

First Bus came under fire last month after the operator announced 'sweeping' cuts to services across the district which has left some rural communities 'completely shut off'.

Some members on North Somerset Council condemned the move and branded the axe 'unacceptable'.

READ MORE: First Bus announce cuts to 'vital' services from next month

"Passenger numbers on our services are still significantly down on pre-pandemic levels and we are seeing some of our long distance services that connect our towns and cities or serve more rural areas facing a particularly difficult time", Mr Claringbold added.

"Lower single, return and day ticket fares will help these services at a time when most things are going up in price.

"We hope this will encourage more people to use our services so that as we take action to increase driver numbers and improve the reliability of our services, we can accelerate the recovery in bus use across the region."