The company which runs most of Brighton and Hove's buses has infuriated passengers by adding 20p to its £1 flat fare.

Brighton and Hove Bus and Coach Company is raising the price of its basic city-wide ticket from Sunday May 25.

The flat fare, introduced in January 2001, has proved highly successful in attracting more passengers.

Managing director Roger French said: "Regretfully rising costs since 2001 and more expected in the coming year mean we cannot hold the flat fare at £1 any longer."

However, the company will cut the cost of its one-day Saver ticket from £3 to £2.40.

Mr French said: "Our research shows passengers don't want to pay extra if they change buses to reach a destination and the new system will cater for this."

City pensioners, however, are angry about the flat fare increase.

Mike Moore, 69 - a member of the National Pensioners' Convention and Brighton and Hove Pensioners' Association - said the hike would be damaging to the most vulnerable elderly people.

He said: "Women whose husbands have died and are having to survive on the basic state pension will feel the effects most of all."

Mr Moore, of Bellingham Crescent, Hove, said post office closures would leave more elderly people dependent on buses to collect their pensions.

He said: "It is diabolical. Pensioners are constantly being disadvantaged. Twenty pence may not seem like much but it all mounts up."

Tony Greenstein, secretary of Brighton and Hove Unemployed Workers' Centre, also criticised the move.

He said: "This is a retrograde step. A 20 per cent increase is a very stiff increase, not only for those on benefits but for earners too."

Mr French - who announced in December 2002 that the £1 flat fare would be frozen for another year - defended the changes.

He said fares from most residential areas into the city centre at £1.20 would be below prices being charged 14 years ago.

The fare from Hangleton to Churchill Square was £1.25 in 1989 and increased to £1.50 in 1990.

He said: "Our fares will still offer excellent value for money coupled with the investments we are making to improve frequencies on many services as well as new buses and improved timetable information at bus stops."