Adults travelling on Prentice of Haddington buses face an increased fare from next month.

The county bus firm confirmed that due to "continually high operating costs" and a "significant reduction in funding" from Transport Scotland, adult single fares would be increased on its services by 20p from April 3.

Adult single fares currently begin from £1.80 with costs to rise by 20p from April 3.

All other fares on the service will remain the same.

In a statement, Prentice of Haddington said: “Reluctantly, due to continually high operating costs and a significant reduction in funding from Transport Scotland, we will be increasing our adult single fares by 20p from Monday April 3.

“Our fares will still offer the best value in East Lothian, being no more expensive than other bus operators and, in many cases, less expensive. There will be no increase in our multi-journey tickets at this time.”

Prentice of Haddington confirmed that there would be no price increase on the journey to and from Elphinstone Research Centre on service 108A as a fare increase was already placed on this service in November last year.

East Coast Buses previously announced that its fares would be going up last month.

READ MORE: East Coast Buses fares to rise this weekend

A Transport Scotland spokesperson said that a reduction in funding was due to the expiry of the Network Support Grant, which offered financial support to bus services throughout the Covid-19 pandemic.

The spokesperson said: “We’re clear that the support provided to transport operators needs to evolve to make sure it remains fit for purpose and is sustainable long term.

"The Network Support Grant plus was always a temporary fund; designed to provide additionality during Covid.

"It was extended in June and it was extended again in October. All bus operators who agreed to take part in the scheme signed up on the proviso that it would be finally ending this March.

"A key agreement between bus operators and Transport Scotland has been the addition of extra funding to support a marketing campaign from Scottish Government, to encourage people back to bus.

“We provided £223m in emergency funding to support bus services during the pandemic and the Scottish Budget for 2022-23 allocated £410m in funding for bus services and concessionary fares.

“Scotland has the most generous concessionary scheme in the UK. More than a third of the population including everyone under 22 and over 60, and disabled people and carers, can benefit from free bus travel.

"Additionally, the Scottish Government is progressing the Fair Fares Review to ensure a sustainable and integrated approach to public transport fares that supports the long term viability of our public transport system as we recover from the pandemic.”