West Midlands mayor Richard Parker 'disappointed' over National Express bus ticket price rise

The company, which runs most of the services in the region, announced it will charge £2.90 for an adult single fare from January 5 – a rise of 90p from the current £2.

This follows an increase of the national fare cap from £2 to £3 until the end of 2025, announced by the Government in the autumn budget.

Mr Parker said the cost of weekly and monthly passes, which Transport for West Midlands has control over, will remain at current levels.

He also said the rise in cost was another reason in support of moving to a bus franchising model for the region’s bus network.

He has previously citing Greater Manchester as an example – where the bus network moved from a deregulated model to franchised with single fares remaining at the £2 charge.

In a social media post, Mr Parker said: “I’m disappointed that bus fares are increasing but the fares and passes over which we have control are staying the same.

“£18 for a weekly pass and £64 for a monthly pass, delivering fantastic value for money.

“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 no other fare changes will be introduced on January 5 with child fares and the £1.50 pre-9.30am ticket for concessionary pass holders remaining as they are.

On their website, the bus operator said: “From Sunday, January 5 National Express West Midlands adult single bus fare will be £2.90, which is cheaper than the Government’s £3 single fare cap scheme.

“All of our other bus fares remain the same, providing a range of great value tickets and passes.”

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It added: “We have taken part in the government’s £2 single fare cap scheme since it was introduced in January 2023.

“From January 1, 2025 the government’s single fare cap scheme will increase to £3 and some local areas have decided to charge a different price for single tickets.”