Discounted travel fares for users of City of York Council's Park & Ride services will increase from Sunday 12 August. However, the standard £2 return fares will be unaffected.

The changes mean that the cost of monthly tickets will increase from £25 to £30. However, this is still 25 per cent cheaper than buying 20 standard returns (one for each working day) and the tickets can be used at any time during the month.

The cost of weekly tickets will increase from £7 to £8, which is still 20 per cent cheaper than buying five standard returns. The ticket can be used at any time during the week.

The price of a stored value fare will increase from £1.60 to £1.80 -  still a 20 per cent discount on a standard return fare and there is no time limit on card use.

Discounted fares have not increased for more than five years, but there have been considerable financial pressures on the service during this period due to increased operating costs.

Standard fares, which account for more than 70 per cent of all trips made on Park & Ride, were last raised in August 2005. However, operating costs have continued to mount and the council has therefore agreed an increase in the cost of discounted fares with the operator of the services, First.

The operation of the entire Park & Ride service is due to be put out to tender so that the council can ensure that it is achieving the best value options available for fares, vehicle emissions and service standards. The council's Executive will select the successful operator in the autumn and the new service will be launched next spring.