Bus, rail and metro offer 'less value for money'

A report said passenger satisfaction had dropped as a result of rising ticket prices and reduced services

Fewer people feel bus, rail and metro services in the West Midlands offer value for money, according to new data.

Figures showed that passenger satisfaction in the region fell by 14% for bus services, by 16% for rail and by 2% for metro in 2024/25 as a result of rising ticket prices and reduced services.

The report by the Local Democracy Reporting Service was presented to the West Midlands Combined Authority's transport delivery overview and scrutiny committee.

It stated rising costs and reduced services were down to "increased cost pressures for operators and stagnant or reducing revenue".

Other figures revealed the number of bus boardings had dropped by 3.49m year-on-year, while metro usage fell by 220,000.

But rail usage increased by 1.36m in the same period.

The report also said that services were more reliable, with 79% of bus services, 84.9% of rail services and 93% of metro services being on time in the final quarter of 2024/25.

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