STAGECOACH today backed the Echo's Exeter Bites Back campaign and announced a price freeze on many of its fares.

The company hopes thousands of passengers will be better off as a result of the move.

However it said some fares will still have to rise.

Richard Stevens, the company's operations director, said: "The Exeter Bites Back campaign is an excellent idea during what is a very difficult time for many people. It is a good idea to focus on the positive."

Echo editor Marc Astley said: "The gesture by Stagecoach and Francis Clark on page four of today's newspaper are exactly the sorts of initiatives we are hoping to encourage and highlight as part of the Bites Back campaign."

As the bus firm revealed its annual tariffs, Stagecoach announced it was reducing the rise for standard single and return fares from a predicted ten per cent to an average six per cent, and announced a price freeze or reduction on many of its other ticket types. From Sunday, the popular Dayrider ticket, which offers a day's unlimited bus travel, is falling by 50p to £4, while the price of the weekly Megarider is being frozen, helping regular bus users and commuters.

Other price reductions include: 13-week Megarider Gold now £260; Exeter 13-week ticket now £140; Exeter 52-week Megarider £500; Exmouth 52-week Megarider now £400.

The Explorer ticket, which allows travel across the region, will now be valid for a whole day with no time restrictions.

The weekly version of this ticket will also be revised. The Megarider Platinum tickets will be withdrawn and the Megarider Gold tickets will now offer travel on the X38 and X46 at the original price of £22 for one week.

Longer-term tickets are still available at either the same price or at a reduced price.

There are changes, too, for travellers in Exmouth with the introduction of a new Dayrider ticket priced at just £2.50 and a price freeze on the weekly Megarider ticket.

Mr Stevens added: "We are really pleased we have been able to freeze the price and even reduce prices on some of our multi-journey tickets.

"We value our customers and hope they see we are committed to offering affordable travel across the region."

In another important move, season tickets will be standardised in accordance with Stagecoach's online tickets.

The monthly and annual tickets currently sold in travel shops and via ticket agents will become four-week and 52-week tickets respectively and 13-week tickets will soon be available in travel shops too. The photocard needed for the annual ticket will be withdrawn. Literature detailing the changes will be available on buses from tomorrow.

Martyn Goss, Devon spokesman for the Campaign for Better Transport, said: "What is particularly encouraging about this news is that it draws the public's attention to these saver tickets."

Derek Phillips, chairman of Exeter Chamber of Commerce, said: "The chamber will salute Stagecoach for this effort. It is very good news and very welcome.

"It will help business and it will help people getting to work. It helps inspire confidence which really is the main thing just now."

A spokesman for the South West Regional Development Agency, which is supporting the Bites Back Campaign, said: "This move by Stagecoach, to reduce or hold the cost of certain tickets, has the potential to encourage more passengers to travel into Exeter to support their local businesses at the same time as bringing environmental benefits from increased use of public transport."

Maurice Spurway, co-ordinator of Exeter Friends of the Earth, said: "You have to ask why they are putting the price of general tickets up six per cent.

"They say it is instead of ten per cent — but that should not let them off the hook."

The fare changes will not impact on how much Stagecoach claims back from the city council for pensioners through the concessionary bus pass scheme — largely blamed by civic leaders for recent budget cuts.