A BID to ease the recession for families across Greater Manchester by scrapping a 10p bus-fare rise for schoolchildren has failed.

Labour transport bosses attempted to halt plans to increase concessionary fares to 80p from April 1.

But they were defeated by a Tory and Lib-Dem coalition.

Over 60s travel free on all off-peak buses, trains, and trams in Greater Manchester and will only pay the new fares if they travel before 9.30am.

But councillors behind the Labour revolt say they are concerned about families with schoolchildren.

Greater Manchester's 10 council leaders ordered Greater Manchester Integrated Transport Authority to raise the concessionary fare to help balance the budget.

David Jones, former Oldham council leader, proposed that the money should be found from reserves.

He said: "This increase, during the present economic situation, would make things very difficult for a number of families who have seen their incomes reducing.

"People are having to take pay cuts and there are large-scale redundancies. It is wrong to think about increasing the burden on them.

"Figures show that for every 10p increase, we get a million fewer bus journeys. That would mean a serious effect on the social mobility of young people."

Stockport councillor Peter Scott said: "Many families have more than one child at school. This is going to make things extremely expensive."

The ITA has to clear its budget with council leaders at the Association of Greater Manchester Authorities. It is then collected as a levy through council taxes.

The authority also subsidises unprofitable bus routes.

The cost of subsidies has gone up by more than 12 per cent because of fuel costs.

Conservative chairman Matt Colledge said: "Two years ago we talked about increasing the fare to 80p. We decided not to but now we have deferred it as long as possible.

"This is not something which any of us wants to do but our hands are tied."