Dismay over price hike on buses and Midland Metro
Public transport campaigners have called plans to increase National Express bus and Metro fares as disappointing.
It emerged earlier this week that out of 32 fares provided by National Express, which also operates Midland Metro, 19 are to go up in price.
The adult maximum single ticket will increase four per cent from £2.30 to £2.40 and is amongst 18 other tickets to go up in price on January 2.
Lianna Etkind from Campaign for Better Transport said: "Keeping fares low encourages more people to use public transport, and brings city-wide benefits in terms of cleaner air and less congestion, so it's disappointing to see that city hop fares are going up by 50 per cent.
"National Express' decision to introduce smart ticketing is welcome and will help people board rail and buses more quickly and easily.
"What is needed now are fair season tickets for part-time workers.
"More and more people now are choosing to work from home or flexibly.
"Yet they're excluded from the current season ticket system which is based around five-day a week travellers and end up having to pay more.
"It's time that season tickets caught up with modern day working patterns."
A Transport for West Midlands (TfWM) spokesman said: "Obviously we want to see the lowest fares possible and under our Bus Alliance there is a commitment with operators that fares will not increase by more than RPI+1 per cent.
"These forthcoming increases are in line with that commitment, although it is important to note that it is the private companies who ultimately set the level of fares, not TfWM.
"We understand the current cost pressures on bus operators and in particular the need to provide more resources to combat road congestion."
