New year price freeze on most National Express bus fares

A sale on tickets bought using contactless bank cards is also planned for January – they will be down 10p – and a new, simpler and cheaper way to pay for weekly travel is being introduced..

The Birmingham-based bus operator said three-quarters of passengers in 2019 will pay the same or less than they do today when the latest fares begin on January 2.

National Express is also investing £22 million in buying more of the top-specification Platinum double deckers with extra leg room, free wi-fi and USB chargers.

For the second January in a row, on-bus cash fares – single tickets, daysavers, off-peak daysavers and group tickets – will not go up in price.

This means the bus company’s biggest-selling product, the off-peak daysaver, still costs the same as it did in 2014.

Contactless

National Express West Midlands commercial director Nick Vane said: “We know our customers really like contactless.

"In November 2018, we made our two millionth contactless sale, just two months after the millionth one. Looking at the numbers, I think we’ll get the three millionth contactless tap in January 2019.

“And now contactless is even better as it’s 10p cheaper in our ‘January sale’.

“Also in mid-January, we’ll be bringing in a new subscription ticket, which will make it easier for people to buy weekly tickets. It’ll be really simple to buy - we deliver the ticket every week straight to your mobile phone using our popular and convenient mTicket app.

“It will auto-renew, so you don’t have to sort out your ticket every week. But you can easily ‘pause’ it if you need to, for instance, if you’re going on holiday.”

Commitment

Roger Lawrence, the West Midlands Combined Authority portfolio holder for transport and leader of Wolverhampton Council, said: “Our Bus Alliance agreement with operators includes a commitment to keep fares as low as possible.

“So it’s encouraging to see a price freeze on many National Express products in 2019 although we are conscious that some passengers will see an increase in line with inflation on direct debit season tickets.

“Research shows that keeping fares affordable can be a key factor in why people choose to go by bus.

"The frozen or reduced fares announced today are therefore a step in the right direction because more bus passengers will mean less congestion and cleaner air.”

January will also mark a year since National Express West Midlands introduced its 'no more twirlies' pre-9.30-am for concessionary pass holders. Since then, senior citizens across the West Midlands have bought 800,000 of the £1 tickets.

Adult single cash fares stay at £2.40, child single at £1.20 and adult short hop at £1.50. The West Midlands adult day ticket remains at £4.60 and adult off peak day ticket at £4.

Some low fare zone tickets rise. The Walsall and Sandwell/Dudley adult tickets rise from £3 to £3.50 and for children from £1.50 to £1.75.

Further details are available on the National Express website.