Bus fare rises break the inflation barrier

Bus fares in the West Midlands will be increased by an inflation-busting 5.8 per cent from January 2, it was revealed today.

The announcement has been criticised as "disgusting" by Wolverhampton Councillor Judith Rowley, who sits on the region's transport authority Centro.

The price of a single National Express West Midlands fare will go up from £1.70 to £1.80.

And the price of a Daysaver ticket will rise by nearly three per cent, from £3.50 to £3.60.

Bosses said revenue would go towards investing in the region's bus network next year, including the introduction of 120 new vehicles.

Metro fares will also increase under the changes. The cost of an adult Metro Daytripper ticket will go up from £4.40 to £4.50, an increase of 2.27 per cent, while a family Daytripper ticket will go up 5.8 per cent from £8.50 to £9.

Dave Kaye, managing director of National Express Bus UK, said: "We realise these are tough times and have kept the increase to a minimum to allow us to reinvest in the network, meet rising business costs and maintain our extensive local workforce.

"Fares in the West Midlands are still excellent value when compared to other major cities and our focus in 2011 is improving the quality of journey for all our customers.

"We are already planning to introduce 120 new vehicles to the network and have recently installed technology which monitors driving standards across the fleet."

The Eveningsaver ticket, giving unlimited use on all National Express West Midlands and Coventry buses after 6pm, is being scrapped.

Councillor Rowley said: "This rise hit bus users very hard and will impact upon people who rely upon the bus to get to work or to seek good quality, cheap food from markets.

"This is an increase in price following a reduction in the number of services earlier this year."