Rail and bus fares set to rise

Passengers were today facing a double whammy of fare increases with a Midland bus firm announcing price rises of up to a fifth while train tickets will rise by almost six per cent.

Arriva is increasing the majority of its prices for journeys in Staffordshire and the Black Country by 10p but costs between Cannock and Walsall will rise more than 20 per cent, from £1.80 to £2.20.

Meanwhile train fares will rise an average of 5.9 per cent, marginally higher than the rate of inflation which is running at 5.2 per cent. The Association of Train Operating Companies announced the increase today and individual operators were revealing how much customers will pay later.

Arriva managing director Bob Hind blamed the bus fare rises on inflation while train bosses promised "new trains, faster services and better stations".

Michael Roberts, chief executive of Atoc, added: "The long-standing Government approach to sustaining rail investment is to cut the contribution from taxpayers and increase the share paid for by passengers."

Arriva boss Mr Hind defended his firm's fares. "No-one likes to increase their prices especially at such a difficult time but, as everyone knows from their domestic bills, costs are steadily rising," he said. But Cannock Chase council leader George Adamson raised concerns. "That sounds like it's more than inflation, he said." The new bus fares come into effect from January 3.