An improved timetable and amended fares are being introduced by West Midlands Metro as the tram network gears up for further expansion.
Metro froze prices earlier this year when other public transport operators generally increased fares. The organisation has since carried out a comprehensive review of ticket options and services in advance of opening the Grand Central to Centenary Square extension in Birmingham which is scheduled for December.
The new timetable, including more frequent services on Sunday and an extension to peak period services throughout the week, is to be launched on 1st December whilst tests on the Centenary Square extension continue. Other changes will assist passengers in connecting to early morning rail services from Wolverhampton to London.
New fares will be introduced from 8th December and, whilst some are increasing, Metro customers will save money on a number of single and return ticket options and also when travelling between Bilston and Wolverhampton. As a result of the changes, the overall cost of travelling by tram has increased by just 0.7 per cent – well below the rate of inflation.
Carl Williams, Director of Operations at West Midlands Metro, explained: “We are committed to offering excellent value for money. Tram travel is still one of the least expensive public transport options in the region and we want to keep it that way.
“Clearly our network is growing with the latest extension due to open as soon as final testing and commissioning has been completed.
“As a result, we’re launching a new and improved timetable covering an additional two stops in the heart of Birmingham City Centre and, having frozen prices at the beginning of 2019, we are introducing a new fare structure at the same time.
“Some customers will actually see savings as a result of the changes. Where there have been modest increases they’ve been kept to a minimum and any additional revenue will help fund future improvements to our expanding network.”
For full details of the new timetable click here, and for our new fares click here.
