Huge rise in bus fares

Bus fares in the West Midlands are set to soar by over 10 per cent – more than twice the rate of inflation.

The normal adult single charge will rise by 20p to £1.70, while the short hop ticket will cost 10p more at £1.20p.

Fares on the Metro will increase by an average 6.5 per cent. An adult day tripper goes up 20p to £4.20p, while a return from Wolverhampton to Birmingham shoots up by 30p to £4.50p. Weekly travel cards will also become more expensive. The rises by National Express come into force on January 2.

They blame the move on "rising operating costs including utilities and staffing costs."

The only good news is that all fares paid by direct debit will be frozen until 2010 and the price of the £3 Daysaver ticket will remain unchanged for 12 months when bought in prepaid booklets of five at travel shops or via the call centre.

That ticket will cost £3.30 if purchased on a bus.

National Express insisted that only one in four passengers paid cash for bus rides while the rest bought tickets in advance.

Neil Barker, bus and coach director for National Express UK, said: " We are encouraging customers to purchase their fares in advance to secure the best value for money.

"Setting up a direct debit or pre-paying for Daysavers not only provides the best savings but also helps reduce queues and delays at the bus stops. The January changes mean we can continue investing in a better bus service for the future."

Some bus and rail tickets went up by 10 per cent last year – almost five times the rate of inflation, it was revealed today.

Anthony Smith, chief executive of Passenger Focus, said at the time: "These unjustified and unfair rises will rankle." He urged passengers to complain "loud and clear" to travel companies.