A bus fares increase has been announced by an operator - just as a rival stops running one of its north Norfolk services.

Eastern Daily Press: Charles SandersCharles Sanders (Image: Archant)

Sanders Coaches, which operates services throughout the county and is based in Holt, is set to increase fares this month on all its services.

The news coincides with the scrapping, from this Monday, November 2, of the Konectbus 2/2A service from Norwich to

Sheringham, which travelled via Holt.

The Dereham-based operators blamed 'an extended period of losses' for the decision to end the Konectbus service which has resulted in protest petitions in north Norfolk.

Sanders Coaches has run the X44 from Norwich to Holt via Horsham St Faith, Hevingham, Aylsham, Cromer, and Sheringham for 20 years.

Speaking about the timing of the fare increase, Charles Sanders, managing director of Sanders Coaches, said: 'It is just an unfortunate coincidence. We have around 40 odd vehicles and only seven on that route.

'The increase will be across the whole network. Even with the increase, the fares will not be as high as Konect's.

'We were going to bring in a fare increase earlier in the year but we delayed it when fuel costs went down. I still think the costs are extremely competitive.'

He said the increase had come because of other rising costs including staffing, insurance and spare parts.

Sanders' website says increases will be no more than 10p-20p on singles and 20p-40p on returns, based on distance.

Weekly tickets in some cases may also rise as they are based on a calculation from the return fares.

The new fares will be published this week and come into force on Sunday November 15.

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