Residents demand 'affordable transport' as bus fare hike leaves people fuming

Bus fares across the West Midlands are set to increase due to the continuous rise in operational costs. The hike, affecting day and season tickets, will commence at the end of June with an average increase of 6%.

The price of an nbus day ticket will increase by 30p to £4.80, and the four-week fare will see a rise from £60 to £64. This change has been unanimously approved by all bus operators within the Transport for West Midlands (TfWM) area.

However, the single fare will stay at £2, thanks to a funding agreement with the Department for Transport that guarantees this price cap "until at least the end of this year". TfWM says it is investing approximately £50 million annually into the bus network to maintain vital services and prevent significant fare hikes or cuts in service. Full details of the changes are available from bus operators or via the TfWM website.

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Coventry Live readers have been discussing the changes over on our Facebook page.

Richard Smith says: “It's ridiculous how when we're trying to combat climate change that public transport prices are constantly rising forcing people to drive their cars more because it's cheaper. I commute to Birmingham but I need to get a bus to the train station.

"It's already £14 for a return trip. With these increases I'm going to be better off just driving.”

Sarah Bodger agrees and replies: “We had to go to Birmingham last week. The cost of public transport for the two of us would have been higher than taking the car. It was a no-brainer to drive in.”

Magdalena Stankiewicz thinks: “Soon it will be cheaper to buy a bike and drive 2h to work in the rain than take a 30 min bus ride.”

Stephen Meyrick says: "Acute rises in the cost of fuel? Half of the nx buses are electric!"

Adam Harmsworth writes: “Nationalise them! We need an affordable transport system, and one with enough buses to meet our needs, so that for example the 12X doesn't get queues going out of Pool Meadow.”

Mike Dudley disagrees: “Nationalisation just gives you higher costs, poorer service, lack of investment, worse productivity and no customer service or competition.”

Sue Duffy thinks: “Considering they haven't risen for a few years! And much cheaper than Stage Coach can't be that bad..” Andrew Sanders disagrees: "Years"? 23 months to be exact, hardly "Years", as was the previous increase being 6 years."

Will you be affected by the price rises? Do you think they are fair? Have your say either in our comments section or over on Facebook.

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