Transport bosses defend 10p West Midlands bus rises
Another round of inflation-busting bus fare hikes has been condemned – but defiant transport bosses today said it is needed to fund improvements.
Single fares on National Express West Midlands services will rise 10p, from £2 to £2.10, from January 2. Other fares are also set to increase, including on the Midland Metro tram, which is run by National Express.
Fares have gone up above inflation almost every January for years. In 2006 it cost £1.20 for an adult single fare. A pensioners group and an MP today warned it would hit people on low incomes who were struggling to make ends meet.
National Express said the new fares, which will see family and student fares frozen, will support further investment into the West Midlands bus network during 2014 as well as reflect 'rising business costs'.
Bus fares to rise by 10p in West Midlands
See the full list of price changes
It has pledged to cap its overall package of increases at one per cent above the retail price index measure of inflation.
It said it would build on the arrival of over 125 new buses during 2013, with 300 new buses over the next two years, and support the introduction of Smartcards in 2014.
The system will let people pre-pay their travel fares and swipe a pass over a sensor, similar to London's Oyster card. The changes see an adult single and a Daysaver increase by 10p while weekly Travelcards will increase by 50p a week and monthly travelcards will increase by £1.50 a month.
Midland Metro fares go up from £3.60 to £3.70 for a single along the 23-stop route between Birmingham and Wolverhampton.
Peter Coates, managing director for National Express West Midlands said: "We have kept the increase to a minimum and worked hard to ensure that family fares are frozen together with Term Travelcard prices for shildren and students.
"The price rise will allow us to continue our significant investment into the region's bus network and meet rising business costs."
But pensioners have criticised the plan, which comes as they face being stripped of free tram travel under £14 million of cuts to transport authority Centro's budget.
Pat O'Dowd, chairman of the Wolverhampton Pensioners Convention, said: "Pensioners won't be able to afford the tram fares. This will mean more people being stuck in the house on their own. That will lead to health problems such as dementia."
And Wolverhampton South East MP Pat McFadden said the increase in fares would put pressure on struggling families.
He said: "Transport costs are a really serious issue for many families with low incomes. They are struggling to make ends meet and rises like this make it all the more difficult.
Centro said it was not able to dictate what bus companies charge. Spokesman Mark Langford said: "Centro wants to see the lowest fares possible and work closely with the private bus and tram companies to try and achieve this. However, it is the private companies who ultimately set the level of fares not us.
"We understand the current cost pressures on business, and we will continue to work in close partnership with all operators to make sure investment is targeted in a way that meets the needs of passengers."
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