FURNESS parents angered by school bus fare increases have stepped up their campaign by revealing plans to get quotes from alternative transport providers.

Under the motto 'Stagecoach need us more than we need Stagecoach', the Furness parents from the Fight For Fair Fares group are exploring cheaper ways of getting their children to school.

READ MORE: Furness parents campaign against 'ethically wrong' bus fare increases and demand school pass scheme is set up

The group was formed after the bus company put its fares for Barrow Megarider tickets up to £40.99 a month and its Megarider Plus tickets up to £82.99 at the start of the year.

Campaigners are now consulting with other providers to see if they are interested in putting on a term-time service for small groups of children who live near each other.

Nicola Green, one of the campaigners, said: "It's for what's coming up that worries me as these increases keep coming.

"We have been looking at taxis and coach firms."

Fighting For Fair Fares hope getting quotes and scheme suggestions will cause Stagecoach to change its policies and introduce a child version of the Megarider ticket, for example.

Campaigners want a public meeting with Stagecoach representatives to put their concerns and ideas across.

VIEW THE FIGHT THE FAIR FARES PETITION HERE

Elaine Edwards, one of the Walney mothers backing the campaign, faces the prospect of spending £82 every month on bus fares to get her two children to and from St Bernard's.

She said: "We are willing to pay an affordable price for the service that we are using. We are paying for parts we are not using.

"The bus fare shouldn't be a factor in a parent's choice in choosing a school."

Janette Hellon was one of the mothers involved in a 2012 campaign against Stagecoach over price hikes .

She said: "Being a single parent [the fares are] horrendous."

Responding to the latest price increases, a spokesman for Stagecoach said: "We never like having to increase prices but, unfortunately, having held fares since the spring of 2015 cost increases have meant we have had to act."