AN angry Catshill student has hit out at regional bus company bosses who have slashed services and raised prices to travel into the town centre.

Eighteen-year-old Charlotte Chandler, of Alexander Close, who regularly uses the First bus services - formerly known as First Midland Red - to travel to work and meet her friends, is enraged by the new proposals.

The First bus passes, which previously cost £20 for eight weeks, are now the same price for a month.

The new fares, which were introduced from Monday, July 21, have also seen an increase in return fares and a cut in the number of services.

Charlotte, a former North Bromsgrove High School student, who is due to start Worcester College in September, said: "I'm a student and can't afford these sort of prices. I use the buses four or five times a day.

"I've spoken to the company and they said they had to raise the prices to come in line with other bus companies in the area. But if they were going to raise the prices they should have done it gradually."

"I've also heard they are going to cut some of the evening services."

The pilot scheme which, according to the bus company, was introduced to simplify bus services and improve public understanding, started on Monday July 21.

First was contacted but had not responded at the time the Bromsgrove Advertiser/Messenger went to press.