Black country bus fares going up by 5pc to pay for new fleet
Bus fare increases of about five per cent are on the way for commuters in the Black Country.
National Express bosses last increased fares a year ago. The new charges come into effect in January and will see an adult single rise from £2.10 to £2.20.
The extra revenue will help pay for more than 170 new buses, costing £34 million, which will roll onto the roads next year.
National Express has announced increases of around five per cent for most of its journeys
The changes, which come into effect on January 2, will see adult single tickets rise from £2.10 to £2.20
A daysaver ticket goes up 20p to £4.20, while weekly travelcards will cost £16.50, up 50p
Monthly travelcards will increase by £1.50 a month
Other increases include a child single fair, which has risen 5p to £1.10 and a child four-week travelcard, which has gone up 75p to £29.25
Some fares have been frozen, including a family daysaver ticket.
Bosses said bus travel in the West Midlands was still 'great value' when compared to driving and parking, while adding that paying for travelcards by direct debit would save money.
Peter Coates, managing director for National Express West Midlands, said: "We have kept the changes to our fares to a minimum and worked hard to ensure that family fares are frozen for the third year running.
"These changes will allow us to invest a record amount on new buses next year, deliver new state-of-the-art services such as Platinum and roll out our London style smartcard."
The £34m will be spent on 171 new British-built buses. It will include 58 state-of-the-art two-tone grey and black Platinum vehicles. These will have drivers in suits and run on premium routes with new bus shelters carrying real time information, and bus priority traffic arrangements.
The bulk of the fleet will have a distinctive fresh livery in a two-tone maroon with cream lines.
The investment will meet the pledge made by the Transforming Bus Partnership involving public transport co-ordinator Centro and National Express that 300 new buses would be introduced in two years up to the end of 2015.
