Passengers using the Midland Metro tram network will see ticket prices rise in the new year after transport bosses approved a fare hike aimed at securing the service's long-term future.
Approved Fare Increases
Members of the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) Board have given the green light to a request from Midland Metro Limited to increase travel costs. The changes are scheduled to take effect in early 2025.
Officials stated that tram ticket prices have not kept pace with recent increases for bus and rail travel. They emphasised that concessionary charges for older, disabled, and young people will not be affected by the new pricing structure.
New Ticket Prices Explained
The fare adjustments will see single journey tickets increase by between 20p and 50p. Day tickets will rise by 30p for shorter trips and between 50p and 70p for longer journeys. Season tickets will see a more significant jump of 10 per cent.
Specific examples of the new pricing include:
- A Zone 1 single ticket rising from £2.30 to £2.50.
- A Zone 1 weekly pass increasing from £12.20 to £13.40.
- A single ticket for Zones 1-2 going from £3.20 to £3.50.
- A Peak Day Ticket for Zones 1-2 increasing from £4.70 to £5.20.
- A Month Ticket for Zones 1-2 rising by £5.60 to £61.90.
Reinvestment and Future Sustainability
Anne Shaw, the outgoing Executive Director of Transport for West Midlands, commented on the decision. "Fares have been kept low and have not risen in line with rail and bus over the last few years," she said. "An approval to increase fares by above inflation by approximately 40p per journey is being asked. This helps with the overall financial sustainability of the transport system."
A spokesperson for West Midlands Metro added that the decision was not taken lightly. "These modest price rises will help us to meet increased running costs while ensuring the future sustainability of the Metro," they stated. The spokesperson also confirmed that extra revenue from ticket sales will be reinvested into the service, funding further enhancements as the network expands to connect more communities across Birmingham and the Black Country.
They noted that since 2023, Metro fare increases have been well below the rate of inflation, and nearly one in five concessionary pass users will be shielded from these changes.
