Midland Metro fares are to increase from 2nd January 2014 to support improvements to the network. In fact the press release from National Express West Midlands give details of both bus and tram fare changes and goes on to say they are to find investment in a fleet of new buses with no mention of it going towards the tram network, hopefully this is just an oversight and tram passengers are not actually funding shiny new buses!
All single and return fares on Midland Metro will rise by between 5p and 20p with Metrocards also rising at a similar rate. The largest increase is seen on the stage 3 adult return which goes from £5.50 to £5.70 with all other adult tickets (single and return) increasing by 10p. Child tickets will see 5p increases for all singles and stage 1 and 2 returns with 10p added to the cost of the stage 3 return. Metrocards also see fairly small increases with a 1 week version now £18.00, monthly one purchased via Direct Debit is £56.50 and a 4 week Metrocard will now be £63.50.
New fares are as follows (prices in brackets are prices up to and including 1st January 2014):
Child Single (stage 1) – £1.10 (£1.05)
Child Single (stage 2) – £1.45 (£1.40)
Child Single (stage 3) – £1.85 (£1.80)
Adult Single (stage 1) – £2.20 (£2.10)
Adult Single (stage 2) – £2.90 (£2.80)
Adult Single (stage 3) – £3.70 (£3.60)
Child Return (stage 1) – £1.75 (£1.70)
Child Return (stage 2) – £2.25 (£2.20)
Child Return (stage 3) – £2.85 (£2.75)
Adult Return (stage 1) – £3.50 (£3.40)
Adult Return (stage 2) – £4.50 (£4.40)
Adult Return (stage 3) – £5.70 (£5.50)
Metrocard 1 week – £18.00 (£17.50)
Metrocard Direct Debit monthly – £56.50 (£54.50)
Metrocard 4 week – £63.50 (£61.50)
I wouldn’t particularly expect National Express to be investing in the network as they are only the operator and don’t really own anything.
Yep, Metro passengers are indeed funding ‘shiny new buses’!