Bus Fare and Improvement Update

National Express West Midlands (NXWM) has reviewed some of its bus fares, continuing to freeze its most popular fare - the £1.70 adult single. On 6 June, for the first time in 17 months, some cash fares will change. On 4 July, weekly and 4-weekly Travelcards will change for the first time in 18 months; 52 week and monthly direct debit adult Travelcards will change for the first time in over four years. View summary of Cash Fares from Sunday, 6 June 2010 View summary of Travelcard Prices from Sunday, 4 July 2010 National Express has also announced improvement plans to lower the average age of vehicles on key routes to five years or under, as part of the ongoing partnership with Centro. The journey experience will be further improved through a more stringent cleaning process and driver training schemes, which have already seen 3,000 drivers attain NVQ's. Young people Children under five travel for free. The UK's Youth Parliament has campaigned for child fares to be 50% less than adult bus fares across the country. NXWM's child (5-15 years) single fares are a maximum of 85p - 50% less than the adult price. The Term Plus (5-18 years in education) paid by direct debit will now provide travel for the equivalent of less than 60p[i] per day. This includes unlimited travel all day everyday including weekends and school holidays. The new price of the card is £21 per month an increase of £2. For those who make 10 consecutive payments, two months are given for free as an added benefit. Adults Adults will continue to receive the best value through monthly direct debit Travelcards providing unlimited travel for the equivalent of £1.50[ii] per day. This is an increase of £1 per week to £42 - the first change in four years.  The £1.70 single fare remains frozen. This is NXWM's most popular fare and one of Britain's best value bus fares. People could travel for 26 miles for £1.70 on the Number 11 NXWM's longest route. The Daysaver continues to provide unlimited journeys, on every NXWM bus, throughout the day for £3.50 - an increase of 20p. The Evening Saver is now £3 and offers unlimited journeys after 6pm. The short hop fare is being increased by 30p to £1.50. This is to help stop fraudulent use of this fare by some passengers (those who travel in excess of two fare stages). NXWM's fares are amongst the most competitive in the country - see appendix below. Families The Family Daysaver, priced at £7.50 (previously £6.50), gives all day unlimited travel for six people, the group must include at least one adult and one child - providing great value days out for the family by bus ideal for the summer holidays. The Daysaver 5, priced at £7.50 gives five adults all day unlimited travel. It has increased by £1.Customers requiring more information can visit any NXWM travel shop for more details.View summary of Cash Fares from Sunday, 6 June 2010 View summary of Travelcard Prices from Sunday, 4 July 2010  Comparison of NXWM bus fares to other major UK cities Region Daysaver  price + 4 week travel  card price + Leeds £4 £60 (month) Greater Manchester £4 £55 (month) Reading £3.80 £52 (month Bristol/ Bath £4 £73.50 (month) West Midlands (Birmingham,  Black Country and Coventry) £3.50 £42 Direct Debit (month) £48 Cash (4 weeks) + All fares correct on 19 May 2010.    [i] Equates to £210 divided by 363 days.[ii] Equates to £42 divided by 28 days.

Published 2nd June 2010