West Midlands feel they get less ‘value for money’ on public transport transport, data shows

A report to the Transport Delivery Overview and Scrutiny Committee showed passenger satisfaction had dropped as a result of rising ticket prices and reduced services.

Figures showed the percentage of people satisfied with value for money of bus services fell by 14 per cent from 71 per cent in 2023/24 to 57 per cent in 2024/25.

People satisfied with value for money of rail services 73 per cent in 2023/24 to 57 per cent the following year.

And there was a slight reduction in the figure for Metro passengers from 82 per cent in 2023/24 to 80 per cent in 2024/25.

The report said: “Satisfied with value for money of bus services: This has largely been driven by an increase in fares whilst passengers will also have experienced a reduction in the level of service being provided.

“These commercial service reductions have been a result of increased cost pressures for operators and stagnant / reducing revenue.

“Satisfied with value for money of rail services: perceptions of value for money on rail are often informed by operational performance and customer service as much as ticket price.

“Due to widespread industrial action and traincrew shortages, train cancellations increased in 2024/25.

Meanwhile, in March 2025 the government increased regulated rail fares by RPI+1 per cent.

“Whilst this occurred at the very end of the final year, the announcement was made in October 2024, meaning it may well have been in people’s minds when they participated in the Travel Trends and Behaviour Tracking Survey.

“Satisfied with value for money of Metro services: Attributed in part to recent fare increases.”

Other data showed the number of bus boardings dropped from 63.74 million in quarter three of 2024/25 to 60.25 million in quarter four.

Metro usage also fell during the same period from 2.49 million to 2.27 million in quarter four.

But rail usage increased from 56.38 million in quarter three of 2024/25 to 57.74 million in the last quarter of the year.

The percentage of people satisfied with the ability of being able to travel without using a car also increased from 53 per cent in 2023 to 63 per cent in 2024.

Bus, rail and metro reliability also increased with stats showing the percentage of bus services being on time increasing from 75.3 per cent in quarter three of 2024/25 to 79 per cent of quarter four.

Rail services being on time went from 77.3 per cent in quarter three to 84.9 per cent in the last quarter while metro punctuality increased from 87.3 per cent to 93 per cent in the same period.

And the number of people who feel safe on public transport has increased from 84.8 per cent in 2023 to 86.3 per cent in 2024.