'No return for Blakey': Bus firm hires inspectors

Passengers must also be ready to show any identification associated with their travel ticket, for example a student ID or First Photo ID pass

First Bus has hired ticket inspectors for some East of England services - but reassured passengers it was not the return of "Blakey".

On Monday Revenue Protection Officers will be introduced to the Norfolk, Suffolk, and Essex bus network.

Piers Marlow, a managing director for First Bus in the East, said officers would be there to support drivers and passengers, not act like inspector "Blakey" from the 1970s sitcom On the Buses.

The officers will be able to issue passengers with a "standard fare charge of £50" if they are unable to show them a valid ticket or the required identity.

The gruff inspector "Blakey" (left) starred in the British sitcom On the Buses

Between 12 and 14 revenue protection officers will cover the First Bus network in the East of England to ensure everyone was travelling with a valid or correctly issued ticket.

Mr Marlow said: "This is not the return of Blakey - it's about ensuring staff and customers are supported.

"It enables us to check tickets in same way seen on trains and railways and ensure everyone is getting best deal they can and paying what they should be paying."

First Bus have reminded customers to keep any tickets bought from the driver throughout their journey, and tickets on the First Bus App must be valid and ready to show.

Passengers must also be ready to show any identification associated with their travel ticket, for example a student identity or First Photo identity pass.