B&CB responds to BBC’s West Midlands bus fare rise questions

Bus and Coach Buyer has guested on BBC Radio West Midlands to give insight into bus fare rises that come into effect in the West Midlands today.

After a series of soundbites from bus passengers on the fare rises, presenter Kath Stanczyszyn quizzed B&CB News Editor, Chris Peat, for some insight into the rises.

“What we’re seeing is the bus industry being, like all of us, affected by costs going up” – B&CB News Editor, Chris Peat

On being asked what we are seeing with these fare rises, Chris said: “What we’re seeing is the bus industry being, like all of us, affected by costs going up – fuel, maintenance. What we’ve got to remember is it is still cheaper than the car, considering fuel and parking. It’s also a greener option.”

“Listening to the people you spoke to at bus stops, it is an extra cost, but there is some understanding that like everything else, prices are going up” 

Kath said it is understandable that the bus might be cheaper than the car, but ‘for people who rely on the bus anyway, they can’t do anything’. Chris replied: “Listening to the people you spoke to at bus stops, it is an extra cost, but there is some understanding that like everything else, prices are going up. Bus companies are aware and are sympathetic to the fact that perhaps people who need buses the most are the ones who perhaps can’t afford cars, but like what a lot of the people you were speaking to were saying, it’s understandable; it’s like price rises everywhere else.”

Kath asked: “How do TfWM price rises compare to other places?”

“It’s largely the same,” Chris said. “I’m not aware of, in the last couple of weeks or so, any local authorities announcing any price rises for buses. But bus operators up and down the country will be subject to price rises themselves in just the same way that buses in West Midlands will be.”

The presenter asked whether the government’s £2 fare cap scheme should be extended. Chris replied: “The bus industry certainly hopes it will be extended. Our trade bodies are pushing for the government to, if not extend it beyond December this year when it is due to end, then at least be willing to put in place some kind of funding, some kind of help to give some sort of assistance to ensure there isn’t too much of a hard step from the £2 fare to what it would be. There is certainly a lot of hope that will be the case among the industry.

“It’s been a great thing for the bus industry, particularly after the pandemic because it’s helped a lot of people get onboard and it’s made patronage figures rise quite a bit.”