Bus passengers could face more service cuts due to the recession next year but reduced fares are on the way too, according to the head of First Bus in Bristol.

Managing director of First Avon & Somerset Justin Davies spoke to the Evening Post about a wide range of issues, including congestion, fare prices and the future of transport in Bristol.

Mr Davies said neither the economy nor First were out of the woods yet in terms of the effects of the recession.

But he said he wanted to continue to improve reliability and punctuality, and announced a series of price cuts for regular customers.

From Sunday, February 7, adult FirstDay peak fares will be cut from £4.30 to £4.

Adult FirstWeek zone one and two tickets will be cut from £20 to £19 and child FirstDay and weekend tickets will be reduced from £2.40 to £2.15.

Family FirstDay tickets will be cut from £7.90 to £7.50.

There will also be a number of service changes, due to be announced in detail later this week.

First has made a number of cuts to services this year, and Mr Davies said passengers could face more in the next year, though not as many.

He said: "I don't think the economy is out of the woods yet, never mind this company.

"Unlike easyJet, we can't just cancel a bus journey tomorrow, or take routes off and put them back on again.

"During this recession, which is the longest in recent history, we have seen a real change in the way people are travelling. Fewer people have been going to and from the shops – possibly favouring internet shopping instead – and changes in the job market have meant fewer people are commuting to and from work. In light of this, we've adjusted some services."

Two of the most common complaints about First are ticket prices and reliability, and Mr Davies addressed a number of those issues in a question-and-answer session.

The managing director said he was aware of the criticism people level at First, but that improvements were being made to address that.

He said: "Perception is important, we are aware that a lot of people seemingly don't have a good opinion of the company.

"That has developed over a long period of time.

"If you think you have overpaid for a service and it is not good, you get a double negative.

"We have come a long way in terms of reliability, we are better than this time last year and that was better than the year before that.

"We have reduced some fares already, and we will look at whether that leads to more people riding with us.

"We have spent £20 million on the fleet in the last three years upgrading quality."

Mr Davies also gave his views on ideas local politicians have been looking at to improve public transport in Bristol including an Integrated Transport Authority.

Bristol City Council is keen on an ITA, one body that could take control of public transport in the Greater Bristol area, but it was shot down by the three neighbouring authorities, North Somerset, South Gloucestershire and B&NES.

He said: "Having the four authorities working together in terms of transport is absolutely essential.

"We would support moves either for a more legal ITA or just working together through the West of England Partnership.

"There is a large amount of planned housing that crosses political boundaries and you have to plan for transport."