GLASGOW’s biggest bus operator has asked to be allowed to increase fares higher than it already has.

The transport giant said restrictions placed on the firm 13 years ago are having an impact on the business and it needs to be allowed to increase passenger fares to meet additional costs.

The restrictions were initially imposed to deal with a lack of competition from other operators but First says that is no longer the case.

It said it has increased fares to the maximum permitted but wants to be allowed to go further.

The bus company increased fares in March with Managing Director Fiona Kerr stating it did everything it could to keep the increase to a minimum.

However in its submission to have the restrictions removed, First said it had raised fares to the full extent allowed.

In its application First stated the undertakings “has resulted in FirstGroup’s not being able to increase its fares to match market wide increases in costs, as would be expected to be the case in a competitive market.

“As would be expected in such a situation, FirstGroup has increased its fares according to the full extent of the allowances granted to it and the constraints of having practical prices.”

Glasgow Provan Labour MSP, Paul Martin, has campaigned to save a bus service from Robroyston to the city centre but he said the company doesn’t want to listen to passengers concerns.

He said: “They are trying to claim they want to give more value for money. It’s a joke First are cutting bus routes all over the city. There is no competition, that’s the problem with this bus industry.”

He said it is about increasing fares.

Mr Martin added: “Do I feel sorry for a bus company that makes profits worldwide in the hundreds of millions of pounds? No.”

A FirstGroup spokesperson said: "First Bus in Scotland has submitted a formal application to the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) to lift some legal restrictions which were first placed on our businesses in Glasgow, the Lothians and the Borders more than 13 years ago.

“Since then our operating environment has changed radically, with new competition from other bus and coach operators, new rail lines and the Edinburgh tram.

“We welcome this competition, but it is only fair that we are allowed the freedom to operate on a level playing field which will allow us to invest more in and review our services to best meet the needs of our customers.

“Now the CMA’s consultation has closed we await their findings, and will provide whatever assistance we can to assist their deliberations.”