Stagecoach Bluebird attracted criticism for raising their fares because many commuters from Aboyne, Alford, Ballater, Banchory as well as numerous other towns and villages across the region depend on the services.

The Perth-based firm said they were forced to increase prices due to rising oil prices and the Scottish Government's decision to freeze the bus service operators' grant.

Stagecoach Scotland's managing director, Robert Andrew, told the Piper: "The continuing high price of oil affecting car users has also contributed to a 12% increase in Stagecoach's fuel bill, while total operating costs in the north-east have also risen due to inflationary pay rises and the Scottish Government freeze on the bus service operators' grant.

All of these factors have meant we have been forced to increase fares, although we have worked hard to keep these as low as possible."

A return journey between Banchory and Aberdeen now costs £6.70 following the price increases that came into force on April 28.

West Aberdeenshire and Kincardine MSP Mike Rumbles believes passengers are being given a raw deal because of the monopoly Stagecoach Bluebird enjoys in the north-east.

He said: "Although price rises tend to be inevitable and it is undoubtedly true that fuel costs have risen substantially in recent times, the fares in Aberdeenshire were already starting from a high point compared to other parts of Scotland.

"When you compare the prices here in the north-east to those in other parts of the country where there is genuine competition among operators it can quite clearly be seen that our prices are higher than in other areas. There is no question that this acts as a deterrent against people using public transport."

Stagecoach, founded by Brian Souter and his sister Ann Gloag, recently announced that bus returns were up 7.5% in the past year with more people using public transport due to rising petrol prices and environmental concerns.

Are you a commuter who depends on the bus service provided by Stagecoach Bluebird? What do you think about the increase of ticket prices? E-mail us your views to pipereditorial@deesidepiper.com.