Petrol, food, beer—everything’s going up! Next, the cost of using the West Midlands’ tram service is set to increase. Midland Metro Limited (MML) has proposed “modest price rises” for the new year to cover increased running costs.
The West Midlands Combined Authority Board will be asked to agree to the fare increases when it meets next Friday (November 14). This will be below the rate of inflation, however, while concessionary passes will not be affected by the rises.
Single tickets will increase by 20p to 50p, while day tickets go up by 30p on short trips and 50p to 70p on longer trips. For example, a Zone 1 single ticket will rise from £2.30 to £2.50, and a weekly pass, from £12.20 to £13.40.
Season tickets will increase by 10%, while a Month Ticket Zone 1-2 will go up by £5.60 more than the current price (to £61.90). Elsewhere, a Zone 1-2 will rise from £3.20 to £3.50 and a Peak Day Ticket Zone 1-2 will increase from £4.70 to £5.20.
“A decision to increase fares is never taken lightly,” said a West Midlands Metro spokesperson, “but these modest price rises will help us to meet increased running costs while ensuring the future sustainability of the Metro.
“Since 2023, Metro fares have increased well below the rate of inflation, and the tram continues to offer excellent value for money when compared to other modes of transport. Furthermore, nearly one in five people who use the tram with a concessionary pass will be unaffected by these changes.”
MML said that any revenue from ticket sales would be reinvested in the tram service. Currently, major developments are underway on the network—including the opening of the first phase of the Birmingham Eastside extension.