increased cost of fuel used by buses and ferries.

Opposition senator Maxwell Burgess said yesterday that the Government should be doing more to encourage people to use public transport, not make them pay more for it.

He spoke out as the Senate voted to pass higher fares for bus and ferry users from April 1.

He said: "We have the buses there and hope they use them instead of private cars.

"We continue to find that we have to meet the cost of running and maintaining them. We should put another $5 on cars. The people who are catching the bus should not be taxed for doing what we want them to do.'' Opposition senator Kim Swan backed Mr. Burgess, saying people should be encouraged to use public transport to prevent the roads from becoming congested.

He added: "Certainly a lot of tourists use the bus. They will have to pay more. If we are going to make an effort to have more people commuting on the bus, we need to find ways to encourage them to use the service.'' The Government agreed earlier this month that cash fares on buses would rise to $3 for three zones and $4.50 for 14 zone rides. Ticket holders will now pay $16 per booklet for three zones and $25.50 for 14 zone tickets. Monthly pass holders will now have to pay $45 for unlimited rides during a calendar month.

Some concessions, such as children paying cash fares, and students getting monthly passes, will not see increases, but other types of fares will also increase.

For ferry rides to Sandys, Warwick and Paget, fares will be $4 and $2.50 respectively. A packet of 15 tokens will be $25 and $16. Students and children will be able to buy 15 tokens for the two runs at $7.

The cost of a horse and buggy ride will jump from $20 to $30, but the cost of more than four rides remains the same at $5 for the extra people.

The fare increase will boost the Public Transportation Department's revenue by $650,000 and the Marine and Ports Department's intake by $120,000. Both departments' fares were last increased in 1997.