Price freeze on bus fares

Bus passengers were today promised there will be no rise in fares for 2010.

National Express West Midlands, which runs 80 per cent of services in the region, said the decision was taken to help people get to work and interviews.

The pledge comes after fares went up by 10 per cent, more than twice the rate of inflation, in January 2009.

Single fares rose from £1.50 to £1.70 and the move sparked anger from passengers who signed on-line petitions.

Neil Barker, director of National Express bus and coach, said: "We have taken the decision to hold our current prices into 2010 to help customers feeling the pinch of the recession and to encourage more car users to try public transport."

Current ticket prices include £3.30 for a daysaver, £12.50 for a weekly travel card and £38 for a monthly direct debit travel card.

National Express West Midlands has 500 bus services each year and runs the Midland Metro. It said no decision had yet been made about any fare changes for the Metro.