Ring and Ride fare increase branded 'unpleasant financial reality'

Transport for West Midlands (TfWM) has put forward a proposed 70p increase for users which will see a single trip rise from the current £1.30 to £2 from January 2025.

Increases in costs of fuel and staffing are among the reasons given for what would be the first rise in Ring and Ride fares since 2017.

The issue was discussed at a West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) Transport Delivery Overview and Scrutiny Committee meeting where some concerns were raised about the impact this would have on users.

Members agreed to ask the WMCA Board, which is due to vote on the increase later this month, to defer the decision to enable them to further assess how people would be affected.

Ring and Ride provides door-to-door travel for people who find it difficult to access other modes of public transport.