Bus fares to rise across region from Sunday

The mayor of the West Midlands, Richard Parker, said the rises backed up his plans to franchise the region's bus services

The price of bus tickets in the West Midlands will rise at the weekend.

From Sunday, a single adult fare will cost £3 - an increase of 10p - and a day ticket will go up from £4.80 to £5.20.

The four-week fare, often used by those who commute on a daily basis, will go up from £64 to £70, while the monthly direct debit will rise from £59 to £64.

The 8.6% rise follows an independent review, instigated by bus operators, which recommended the increase, and which Transport for West Midlands (TfWM) was required to introduce.

Bus operators cited rising costs as the reason for the increase.

A TfWM spokesperson said the four-week tickets were still cheaper than comparable fares in London (£94), Liverpool (£77.10), Manchester (£80) and Nottingham (£75).

National Express West Midlands, the main bus operator in the region, said there were "great value" tickets available to passengers, including a new single 10 ticket bundle for £25.

West Midlands mayor Richard Parker previously expressed his frustration with the increases.

He said the hike backed up his decision to move the current deregulated bus network to a franchise model.

"I know this fare rise will frustrate people and I share that frustration," said Parker. "It's a decision taken by the operators. And it proves exactly why I'm franchising our buses.

"Under franchising, we'll take back control - setting fares, choosing routes and putting passengers first."

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