West Midlands bus fares are to be frozen at current levels until 2025 under a new plan agreed with operators to assist new and existing passengers with the cost of living.

The move, which will save the average commuter £250 a year, means that people will be able to hop on and off the region’s buses all day for the same price they would have paid in 2013 – currently £4.20 for a multi-operator day ticket.

The fare freeze is just one part of a wide ranging £88 million Bus Service Improvement Plan, which is being delivered to drive up passenger numbers and reduce private car use over the next three years.

The Bus Service Improvement Plan has been developed by Transport for West Midlands, which is part of the West Midlands Combined Authority, in partnership with the region’s bus operators.

And they are set to review the number of fares and ticket types with a view to reducing and simplifying them for passengers. Andy Street, Mayor of the West Midlands and chair of the WMCA said:

 “Our region's bus services continue to be amongst the most affordable in the entire country with day tickets already the same price they were a decade ago - with our guarantee in place to keep them low through to 2025.

“This is a genuine success story given the fuel price rises and broader cost of living challenges facing many of our fellow local residents at this time.

“I encourage people to leave the car and give the bus a go as not only is it great value for money, it's also better for the environment. Supported by the Government funded Bus Service Improvement Plan, together we can help passenger numbers build back up post pandemic."

In addition to the £88 million investment in services, the region is also developing new infrastructure and introducing new vehicles. This includes cross-city bus priority routes, the first of which links Dudley and Druids Heath via Birmingham City Centre, plus more bus priority measures and greener vehicles.