BUS fares in Ipswich are to increase tomorrow and early next year as the recession takes its toll on the transport sector.

BUS fares in Ipswich are to increase tomorrow and early next year as the recession takes its toll on the transport sector.

As well as ticket hikes, Ipswich Buses has announced another town service is to be axed and the frequency of one service is to be reduced

The company is putting up the Ipswich zone fare by 10p to �1.80, and a child's ticket from 90p to �1.

At the beginning of January, the “early riser” service used by commuters and shift workers is to be withdrawn. Originally started as a service to convey Ipswich Buses' staff to its depot in Constantine Road, route 40 is now a public route.

However the company's managing director Malcolm Robson said: “It carries an average of 16 people a day but has failed to meet commercial viability.”

Route 13 from Tower Ramparts to Chantry and Tesco's at Copdock is being reduced from six journeys an hour to five Mondays to Saturdays.

The moves follow last week's announcement from First Group, which blamed the turbulent economic climate for an overhaul of its town and country services.

From November 15, the hourly services on routes 63 from Ipswich to Framlingham and 65 to Rendlesham - both via Woodbridge Road - are to be reduced to a two hour frequency.

The Ipswich railway station to Kesgrave and Martlesham Heath superoute 66, also via Woodbridge Road, will no longer operate through the night, the last journey leaving the town centre at 12.45am connecting with the last train from London.

Route 62 to Bixley from the town centre via Felixstowe Road is being reduced from three buses to two buses an hour and there are to be cuts on service 87 to Stowupland and the 88 to Stowmarket, both via Norwich Road.