Bus fares rise by 25pc

Bus fares soared by up to a quarter today in rises condemned as "outrageous" by passenger groups.

The cost of journeys with Central and Virgin Trains was also going up by double the inflation rate.

Travel West Midlands and the two train companies defended the New Year moves, claiming they were justified because of increased energy costs and the need to invest in services.

Among the increases are:

* Travel West Midlands (TWM) bus fares rising by 25 per cent from the 80p tariff to £1, while the £1.20 fare will cost £1.40

* Both Central Trains and Virgin Trains announcing increases of between four and five per cent

* Advance single train fares also on the up with Virgin Trains. Manchester and Bristol fares rising by 50p and the London train costing an extra £1.

Travel West Midlands corporate affairs director Phil Bateman said the new prices would mean extra money for new buses, staff and technology.

He added: "We are trying to get people to switch to travel cards and the price of those remains as it was at this time last year.

"There is greater value to be had in travel cards and the whole idea is to move people towards using public transport on a regular basis."

Defending the move, Virgin Trains's communications manager David Euart said it was the first increase in 12 months and was necessary due to rising labour and energy costs.

But passenger groups said price rises had not improved services in the past and would put people off, adding to congestion woes across the region.

Councillor Judith Rowley, chairman of Passenger Focus, said: "The poorest families cannot afford to use buses now because the cash prices are the most expensive."

By Andy Rea

Send us your views on the rises by clicking here

See the Express & Star for full coverage and reaction.

Your views: "How does this price increase encourage passengers to use public transport? Public transport is not reliable and has not been for more than two decades. They have cut bus services down. They are not very clean and I don't feel safe when travelling on them. I will not be using public transport." Sharon

"I regularly travel by train to London. Yes the price has gone up but so has punctuality and speed. I travel from Lichfield in one hour 25 minutes to London. I have a railcard and it saves me one third. I book in advance which saves more. Including car parking it costs me just over £25 return. I could not do that by car. It saves me time and therefore money as I can catch the early train and get there before 9 a.m. and return around 7.30 and at home by just after 9. I save on hotel rooms, have a relaxing journey and there is coffee and tea on tap. No car journey can offer me that." Carla Thompson