BUS chiefs say they had to withdraw an off-peak travel pass from sale suddenly last week because it was no longer commercially viable.

The axing of the £17, two-month pass will mean many passengers will have to fork out twice as much for just one month's travel.

But bosses at bus firm First said in order to maintain a presence in Redditch and continue providing a decent service, the pass had to be sacrificed.

Regular bus user Dave Chappell is outraged the pass has been dropped and said it came as a complete surprise.