Mayor disappointed by bus fare increase

Richard Parker said he was committed to bringing buses back under public control

The mayor for the West Midlands has said he is disappointed at the increase in National Express bus fares in his region.

They are to increase by 90p from 5 January, the firm has announced, bringing the price of an adult single ticket to £2.90.

The company made the move after the government said the national fare cap would rise from £2 to £3, but National Express said its other tickets and passes would remain unchanged.

National Express provides services in Wolverhampton, Coventry and Birmingham.

The Labour mayor, who was elected last May, said the cost of weekly and monthly passes, over which his office via Transport for West Midlands had control, would remain at current levels.

He added: "Bringing buses back into public control through franchising is one of my key commitments.

"It will allow us to set fares for everyone and keep them at the lowest possible level, benefiting every commuter across the West Midlands."

National Express West Midlands said it was still "providing a range of great value tickets and passes".

This news was gathered by the Local Democracy Reporting Service which covers councils and other public service organisations.