ARRIVA has been criticised for a second bus fares price increase in six months - despite the company enjoying huge profits.

The price of some Arriva bus fares has gone up by 13 per cent in just over six months.

Arriva's latest price hike came on April 1, and it also increased fares in October last year.

The company blamed the latest rise on an increase in fuel costs. But according to the AA, the price of diesel at the pumps has fallen from 95p a litre last September, to 92.7p a litre last month.

Arriva, which operates buses and trains throughout Europe, recently announced profits of £110m for last year, an increase of 6.5 per cent on 2005.

Bus travel in the UK makes up 45 per cent of Arriva's revenue. Domestic bus turnover was £762.8m, producing a profit of £76m.

That means Arriva makes more than £208,000 a day on bus services in the UK, or £144 a minute.

The company defended the price increases, saying many tickets had stayed the same. Value fares, including the £5 all-day rover ticket, have not risen.

But a single from Scotch Corner to Darlington - a journey of eight miles - has increased from £3 in September to £3.40. Other journeys have had above-inflation rises.

A ticket from Darlington Market Place to the train station, a journey of less than a mile, rose from 80p to 90p on April 1.

Brian Milnes, chairman of pressure group Transport 2000 Tees Valley, said some tickets had gone up by 200 per cent since 1995.

"It is the shortest journeys that have gone up the most," he said. "I think some short journeys have gone up by more than 200 per cent in 12 years.

"People who make the occasional short journey don't have passes, so they are hit the hardest. The increase has been ridiculous on some routes."

In 2005-2006, Arriva received £1,190,902 in contract funding from Durham County Council, £283,080 from Darlington Borough Council, and £49,067 from Middlesbrough Council.

Phil Tonks, of the National Federation of Bus Users, admitted the increases were not "helpful" - but argued bus companies, like other companies, must make profit.

Liz Esnouf, commercial director of Arriva North East, said: "We have worked hard to try and keep fare increases to a minimum but we will have to review certain fares in the face of rising costs."

She said a £2.20 day ticket had been launched in Darlington, and a 50p all-day ticket for Sundays.