Public transportation and horse and carriage riders face higher fares next month as new rates were passed yesterday.

Transportation Minister Ewart Brown said the increases were to offset higher prices for fuel and feed.

And in the case of the 41 licensed carriage owners the increase is the first in 18 years and is designed to offset increases in the cost of feed, to balance out the lopsided seasonal work and does not compare to fares in major North American cities.

For people who ride buses, the cash fares will rise to $3 for three zones and $4.50 for 14 zone rides, and 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.

Special persons, children paying cash fares, and students getting monthly passes would not see increases, but other types of fares would also rise.

For ferry rides to Sandys and Paget and Warwick cash fares are now $4 and $2.50 respectively and a packet of 15 tokens is now $25 and $16. Students and children can now buy 15 tokens for the two runs at $7.

The cost of a horse and buggy ride now jumps from $20 to $30 but the cost of more than four riders remains 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 department's fares were last increased in 1997.

International companies will see five percent increases in the fees they must pay to Government, after two amendments were passed last night. The Exempted Partnerships Amendment and the Overseas Partnerships Amendment were passed in Parliament by Government.