Public transport users have been left raging after bus fare hikes were announced only a month after the new West Midlands mayor was elected on pledges to reduce ticket prices.
Rates for day and season bus tickets are set to rise by an average of 6% at the end of June after mayor Richard Parker promised “cheaper and simpler fares”, but the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) has claimed the increase is due to “industry struggles”.
According to the regional authority, the decision means price rises including the nbus day ticket going up by 30p to £4.80, and the four week fare jumping from £60 to £64.
The decision has been agreed by all bus operators in the Transport for West Midlands (TfWM) area, a WMCA statement confirmed.
“Despite the increase the new fares continue to offer great value to passengers and remain lower than equivalent fares in Liverpool City Region and Greater Manchester,” the statement read.
“The single fare remains set at £2, capped under a funding agreement with the Department for Transport, until at least the end of this year.”
However, bus passengers have expressed anger at the price rises which have come just over a month after Labour’s Richard Parker was elected West Midlands metro mayor.
“@RichParkerLab only in office a month & the fares go up. And it looks like the fares will go up again at the end of the year, when the current subsidy agreement ends” shared user @BordesleyGreen on X, formerly Twitter.
Adrian Johnson described the move as a “Rotten deal for the monthly pass”, adding Within a year it’s gone from £56 to £60 and next: £64! 20% rise. Bunch of twisters basically.”
Paul Beaman suggested the fare rise could be justified if transport services improved but said “the 87 Birmingham to Dudley is absolutely shocking”.
Other Brummies online described the new rates as “disgusting”, “an absolute p*sstake” and cited the cost of living crisis as a reason for the updated prices being a bad move.
Richard Parker became mayor of the West Midlands last month on a “fresh start” manifesto which pledged “affordable fares, reliable buses, and improved safety”.
“We need cheaper and simpler fares that can be used wherever you are and however you travel. Passengers need to be able to move seamlessly from one transport mode to another, with affordability and accessibility at the heart of our plans,” the manifesto stated.
“The West Midlands is missing out on our fair share of government funds, for example in transport. We will lobby hard for the West Midlands to get its fair share of monies from the central government.”
Defending the controversial price rise, WMCA added: “The increase ensures that the region’s bus network remains operating at current levels while an ongoing review, launched by TfWM last year, looks at the long-term sustainability of bus services.
“The review will be reported back to the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) Board next month.”