WM Bus Photos Forum

West Midlands Buses in Discussion => General Discussion, Questions & Route Suggestions => Topic started by: Stu on April 29, 2021, 07:43:24 PM

Title: Bus fares being reduced from June 21st?
Post by: Stu on April 29, 2021, 07:43:24 PM
Just came across this on Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/andy4wm/posts/1859784590867439

"BIG BUS FARE CUTS COMING
For four years by working with National Express we've frozen bus fares.
Now we are going much further with big fare cuts from June 21st, making West Mids buses the cheapest in England.
And still investing in a fleet of brand new platinum and electric buses."
(https://scontent-man2-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.6435-0/p180x540/179314808_1859784077534157_6536966853430812844_n.jpg?_nc_cat=109&_nc_map=test-rt&ccb=1-3&_nc_sid=730e14&_nc_ohc=_PoXDNyP79AAX_gTj0X&_nc_ht=scontent-man2-1.xx&tp=6&oh=f15ed57b4a2489fbcf9d0b46614a2519&oe=60AEE79C)
Title: Re: Bus fares being reduced from June 21st?
Post by: Tony on April 29, 2021, 07:52:01 PM
On BBC news they have just said daysaver reduced by 60p, weekly pass reduced by £2.50
Title: Re: Bus fares being reduced from June 21st?
Post by: BK63 YWP on April 29, 2021, 08:18:58 PM
Will the off peak daysaver remain or get reduced to £3.50 or something
Title: Re: Bus fares being reduced from June 21st?
Post by: j789 on April 29, 2021, 10:52:23 PM
I'm not overly political either way but I do think Andy Street has done a good job in regards to public transport across the region. It's good to see him regularly working in partnership with local bus and train companies rather than working against them like that plonker in Manchester.
Title: Re: Bus fares being reduced from June 21st?
Post by: Isle of Stroma on April 30, 2021, 09:30:04 AM
Quote from: j789 on April 29, 2021, 10:52:23 PM
I'm not overly political either way but I do think Andy Street has done a good job in regards to public transport across the region.

I agree. The poison dwarf has made a fantastic effort in keeping a photographer in employment. Fingers crossed that his job creation scheme finally yields results with either Byrne or Caudwell getting a new gig next weekend...
Title: Re: Bus fares being reduced from June 21st?
Post by: Stu on April 30, 2021, 09:56:13 AM
Quote from: BK63 YWP on April 29, 2021, 08:18:58 PM
Will the off peak daysaver remain or get reduced to £3.50 or something

Further details in this E&S report:
https://www.expressandstar.com/news/transport/2021/04/29/bus-fares-set-to-be-cut-in-west-midlands-as-lockdown-ends/

Looks like all that is changing are Daysaver and weekly ticket prices, with a weekly price-cap for contactless users.
Title: Re: Bus fares being reduced from June 21st?
Post by: bususer28 on April 30, 2021, 06:01:43 PM
Well done to NX- at least someone is trying to get people back onto the buses!
Title: Re: Bus fares being reduced from June 21st?
Post by: Tony on April 30, 2021, 06:06:26 PM
Quote from: Stu on April 30, 2021, 09:56:13 AM
Further details in this E&S report:
https://www.expressandstar.com/news/transport/2021/04/29/bus-fares-set-to-be-cut-in-west-midlands-as-lockdown-ends/

Looks like all that is changing are Daysaver and weekly ticket prices, with a weekly price-cap for contactless users.

No, Monthly, Annual & Direct Debit are all reducing as well
Title: Re: Bus fares being reduced from June 21st?
Post by: Bob on April 30, 2021, 06:08:56 PM
Quote from: j789 on April 29, 2021, 10:52:23 PM
I'm not overly political either way but I do think Andy Street has done a good job in regards to public transport across the region. It's good to see him regularly working in partnership with local bus and train companies rather than working against them like that plonker in Manchester.

Pity hes failed badly at most other things
Title: Re: Bus fares being reduced from June 21st?
Post by: Tony on April 30, 2021, 06:12:41 PM
Quote from: Bob on April 30, 2021, 06:08:56 PM
Pity hes failed badly at most other things

What has he 'Failed badly' on?
Title: Re: Bus fares being reduced from June 21st?
Post by: Stu on April 30, 2021, 06:21:43 PM
Quote from: Tony on April 30, 2021, 06:06:26 PM
No, Monthly, Annual & Direct Debit are all reducing as well

Ah thanks, as a Direct Debit customer myself that is somewhat pleasing to hear, but this was not mentioned in the E&S article, and I haven't yet seen any other information or details elsewhere yet.
Title: Re: Bus fares being reduced from June 21st?
Post by: Tony on April 30, 2021, 06:24:01 PM
Quote from: Stu on April 30, 2021, 06:21:43 PM
Ah thanks, as a Direct Debit customer myself that is somewhat pleasing to hear, but this was not mentioned in the E&S article, and I haven't yet seen any other information or details elsewhere yet.

No, I have just brought that up with the MD

His reply was

Good point and copying xxxxx so we can make it clear that the DD and other tickets will reduce too
Title: Re: Bus fares being reduced from June 21st?
Post by: Stu on April 30, 2021, 06:30:48 PM
Quote from: Tony on April 30, 2021, 06:24:01 PM
No, I have just brought that up with the MD

His reply was

Good point and copying xxxxx so we can make it clear that the DD and other tickets will reduce too

Thanks Tony, if you have any additional details that can be shared, I'll be happy to update the article I've posted on my website:
https://westmidlandsbususers.co.uk/2021/04/nx-bus-cutting-fares-from-june-2021/
Title: Re: Bus fares being reduced from June 21st?
Post by: Tony on April 30, 2021, 06:37:24 PM
Quote from: Stu on April 30, 2021, 06:30:48 PM
Thanks Tony, if you have any additional details that can be shared, I'll be happy to update the article I've posted on my website:
https://westmidlandsbususers.co.uk/2021/04/nx-bus-cutting-fares-from-june-2021/

Scrapping the £4.60 peak daysaver and making daysavers £4 all day long (plus, the low-fares zones will stay at £3)
Making the under-18 daysaver just £2 (down from £2.50 today)
Making the weekly travelcard £15 (down from £17.50) - and flowing these reductions through to 4-weekly and direct debits too
Title: Re: Bus fares being reduced from June 21st?
Post by: MK on April 30, 2021, 07:28:23 PM
Quote from: Tony on April 30, 2021, 06:12:41 PM
What has he 'Failed badly' on?

Birmingham's ongoing problem with homelessness.

I'm in the City Centre 6 days a week and its no better now than it was 5 years ago. If anything, its now worse. Prior to his appointment, he stated that sorting this out would be his priority. His time should be based purely on results, and regardless of his initiatives, he has failed.

Our City Centre streets are rife with these people, day-in, day-out. It paints a very grim picture for any tourists or potential investors.


Title: Re: Bus fares being reduced from June 21st?
Post by: Tony on April 30, 2021, 07:31:44 PM
Quote from: MK on April 30, 2021, 07:28:23 PM
Birmingham's ongoing problem with homelessness.

I'm in the City Centre 6 days a week and its no better now than it was 5 years ago. If anything, its now worse. Prior to his appointment, he stated that sorting this out would be his priority. His time should be based purely on results, and regardless of his initiatives, he has failed.

Our City Centre streets are rife with these people, day-in, day-out. It paints a very grim picture for any tourists or potential investors.

Every homeless person has been offered some sort of accommodation during this pandemic, If they don't take it up or abuse it then is that the Mayors fault?
Title: Re: Bus fares being reduced from June 21st?
Post by: 2206 on April 30, 2021, 07:34:21 PM
Quote from: Tony on April 30, 2021, 07:31:44 PM
Every homeless person has been offered some sort of accommodation during this pandemic, If they don't take it up or abuse it then is that the Mayors fault?
I know the homeless people who sit outside Aldi/Tesco/Iceland at the Fox & Goose begging, live in the B&B on the Washwood Heath Road. They go in while i've been waiting for the bus outside at Foley Road stop.
Though I guess living in a B&B they'd still technically be homeless.
Title: Re: Bus fares being reduced from June 21st?
Post by: Westy on April 30, 2021, 07:36:27 PM
This is only applying to Nx isn't it?

Anything on the TfWm stuff as well?
Title: Re: Bus fares being reduced from June 21st?
Post by: MK on April 30, 2021, 07:55:28 PM
Quote from: Tony on April 30, 2021, 07:31:44 PM
Every homeless person has been offered some sort of accommodation during this pandemic, If they don't take it up or abuse it then is that the Mayors fault?

As i said, his ideas and initiatives haven't worked. The problem of homeless people in the City Centre remains. He's gone on record as saying that its been a more complex problem than he envisaged. Maybe we can add naivety to his attributes.
Title: Re: Bus fares being reduced from June 21st?
Post by: D10 on April 30, 2021, 08:33:33 PM
Quote from: Westy on April 30, 2021, 07:36:27 PM
This is only applying to Nx isn't it?

Anything on the TfWm stuff as well?

Yes only NX as they are using the funding given to them by the Government under the Job Retention Scheme to do this.
Title: Re: Bus fares being reduced from June 21st?
Post by: j789 on April 30, 2021, 08:38:04 PM
Compare Andy Street and his pro-transport policies with Andy Burnham in Manchester and the shocking ideas he has. Typical Labour though I guess thinking money grows on trees so let's nationalise everything, pay everyone top whack wages for doing a 25 hour maximum week and then wonder why the country ends up bankrupt.
Yes Andy Street does love a photo opportunity but equally it is nice to hear him regularly repeating his support for West Mids transport, and he deserves praise for this. All the labour candidate seems to do is criticise without any feasible alternative options given.
Title: Re: Bus fares being reduced from June 21st?
Post by: Gareth on April 30, 2021, 10:16:51 PM
Quote from: D10 on April 30, 2021, 08:33:33 PM
Yes only NX as they are using the funding given to them by the Government under the Job Retention Scheme to do this.

The job retention scheme bonus that was due to be paid in February was scrapped last October I'm sure. I'm guessing there was other funding that NX has received.
Title: Re: Bus fares being reduced from June 21st?
Post by: Solo1 on May 01, 2021, 02:37:07 PM
Us the off park pass coming down
Title: Re: Bus fares being reduced from June 21st?
Post by: Tony on May 01, 2021, 02:38:05 PM
Quote from: Solo1 on May 01, 2021, 02:37:07 PM
Us the off park pass coming down

No
Title: Re: Bus fares being reduced from June 21st?
Post by: Stu on May 01, 2021, 02:40:41 PM
Quote from: Tony on April 30, 2021, 06:37:24 PM
Scrapping the £4.60 peak daysaver and making daysavers £4 all day long (plus, the low-fares zones will stay at £3)
Making the under-18 daysaver just £2 (down from £2.50 today)
Making the weekly travelcard £15 (down from £17.50) - and flowing these reductions through to 4-weekly and direct debits too

Thanks, is anything happening with Coventry fares?
Title: Re: Bus fares being reduced from June 21st?
Post by: Tony on May 01, 2021, 02:51:27 PM
Quote from: Stu on May 01, 2021, 02:40:41 PM
Thanks, is anything happening with Coventry fares?

Not been mentioned
Title: Re: Bus fares being reduced from June 21st?
Post by: Solo1 on May 01, 2021, 02:52:02 PM
Quote from: Tony on May 01, 2021, 02:38:05 PM
No
ok  thanks
Title: Re: Bus fares being reduced from June 21st?
Post by: bususer28 on May 01, 2021, 05:51:19 PM
Quote from: MK on April 30, 2021, 07:28:23 PM
Birmingham's ongoing problem with homelessness.

I'm in the City Centre 6 days a week and its no better now than it was 5 years ago. If anything, its now worse. Prior to his appointment, he stated that sorting this out would be his priority. His time should be based purely on results, and regardless of his initiatives, he has failed.

Our City Centre streets are rife with these people, day-in, day-out. It paints a very grim picture for any tourists or potential investors.
Not going to say much but better than what Burnham did by promising to end homelessness and then admitting just after he got elected that it's not going to be possible.
Title: Re: Bus fares being reduced from June 21st?
Post by: Sandy Lane on May 01, 2021, 06:43:23 PM
Quote from: Tony on May 01, 2021, 02:51:27 PM
Not been mentioned
Hang on - have a look at this Coventry paper.
https://coventryobserver.co.uk/news/national-express-slashes-its-west-midlands-bus-fares-to-make-travel-cheaper-simpler-and-more-flexible-29392/
Title: Re: Bus fares being reduced from June 21st?
Post by: Stu on May 01, 2021, 07:13:43 PM
Quote from: Sandy Lane on May 01, 2021, 06:43:23 PM
Hang on - have a look at this Coventry paper.
https://coventryobserver.co.uk/news/national-express-slashes-its-west-midlands-bus-fares-to-make-travel-cheaper-simpler-and-more-flexible-29392/

Lazy copy-and-paste journalism? Without looking into and investigating further.

OK, I admit I do a lot of 'copy-and-paste' myself on my own site, but I don't get paid for producing such articles, and at least I try and verify and clarify what I publish.  ;)

My criticism of quality of local news media still stands.  ;D

To be honest, I would find it odd if something didn't happen with fares in Coventry though.
Title: Re: Bus fares being reduced from June 21st?
Post by: Sandy Lane on May 02, 2021, 06:33:32 AM
Quote from: Stu on May 01, 2021, 07:13:43 PM
Lazy copy-and-paste journalism? Without looking into and investigating further.

OK, I admit I do a lot of 'copy-and-paste' myself on my own site, but I don't get paid for producing such articles, and at least I try and verify and clarify what I publish.  ;)

My criticism of quality of local news media still stands.  ;D

To be honest, I would find it odd if something didn't happen with fares in Coventry though.
it must be right as the WM (night) mayor [nightmare] is quoted in the paper.

Another point is the mayor is up for relection so is he allowed to be in the news like this? I thought ir was banned in the run up?

Title: Re: Bus fares being reduced from June 21st?
Post by: Tony on May 02, 2021, 06:57:42 AM
Quote from: Sandy Lane on May 02, 2021, 06:33:32 AM
it must be right as the WM (night) mayor [nightmare] is quoted in the paper.

Another point is the mayor is up for relection so is he allowed to be in the news like this? I thought ir was banned in the run up?

It is correct. It is the fact it is a Coventry paper, but hasn't checked out what is happening in Coventry is the criticism
Title: Re: Bus fares being reduced from June 21st?
Post by: ellspurs on May 02, 2021, 08:27:39 AM
The layout for the Coventry article looks very similar to the Express and Star one (not just the content, the site in general).

It's probably been as Stu says, copied and pasted (and adapted) from one to the other.

On the Birmingham Mail site, anything which is shown to have been authored by James Rodgers is pretty much a copy/paste/add spelling errors in from another Mirror group article.

The justification is quite right for not even mentioning NXC, unless they know something we all seem to not know about NXC being re-merged back into NXWM (I know this ain't happening).
Title: Re: Bus fares being reduced from June 21st?
Post by: Westy on May 02, 2021, 10:32:39 AM
Quote from: ellspurs on May 02, 2021, 08:27:39 AM
The layout for the Coventry article looks very similar to the Express and Star one (not just the content, the site in general).

It's probably been as Stu says, copied and pasted (and adapted) from one to the other.

On the Birmingham Mail site, anything which is shown to have been authored by James Rodgers is pretty much a copy/paste/add spelling errors in from another Mirror group article.

The justification is quite right for not even mentioning NXC, unless they know something we all seem to not know about NXC being re-merged back into NXWM (I know this ain't happening).

On that subject, do buses tend to move fairly frequently between Coventry & the main West Midlands operation, bearing in mind until Travel Coventry came along, those buses hadn't been branded separately since 1974!

Could management have got away with same main Pte style livery but a Coventry relevant fleetname, similar to the 'garage branding ' of the 90s?
Title: Re: Bus fares being reduced from June 21st?
Post by: wulfrun on May 07, 2021, 10:34:58 AM
Quote from: Tony on April 30, 2021, 06:37:24 PM
Scrapping the £4.60 peak daysaver and making daysavers £4 all day long (plus, the low-fares zones will stay at £3)
Making the under-18 daysaver just £2 (down from £2.50 today)
Making the weekly travelcard £15 (down from £17.50) - and flowing these reductions through to 4-weekly and direct debits too

Tony, are all NXWM subscription fares to be reduced too?

What about the following Black Country Travelcards?
1,4 week, month: Online Subscriptions
1,4,13,52 week: Swift, mobile, travelshop
Are these all reducing in price too?

With abolition of Peak fares, does this mean the poorly named "Local Area" LFZ will become £3 all day ticket?
Title: Re: Bus fares being reduced from June 21st?
Post by: BK63 YWP on June 20, 2021, 05:57:06 PM
Is the fare cuts still happening tomorrow or has it been delayed til 19th July?
Title: Re: Bus fares being reduced from June 21st?
Post by: Tony on June 20, 2021, 06:04:23 PM
Quote from: BK63 YWP on June 20, 2021, 05:57:06 PM
Is the fare cuts still happening tomorrow or has it been delayed til 19th July?

Delayed
Title: Re: Bus fares being reduced from June 21st?
Post by: ellspurs on July 15, 2021, 03:40:55 PM

https://nxbus.co.uk/west-midlands/news/fares-reduced

Reduced fares announcement. NBus reductions included as well.
Title: Re: Bus fares being reduced from June 21st?
Post by: BK63 YWP on July 15, 2021, 05:08:17 PM
When will wolvo get it's own local daysaver?
Title: Re: Bus fares being reduced from June 21st?
Post by: Gareth on July 15, 2021, 05:43:01 PM
Great news for bus users.

I use an nNetwork ticket and doesn't look like that is going down. However even if it was my direct debit comes out later this week anyway so I'd probably miss out on a month! Oh well, I still get fantastic value anyway with it.
Title: Re: Bus fares being reduced from June 21st?
Post by: ellspurs on July 15, 2021, 06:01:51 PM
Quote from: BK63 YWP on July 15, 2021, 05:08:17 PM
When will wolvo get it's own local daysaver?

When Solihull gets theirs. IE probably never given the price reductions.

Love that I can go from my house to West Bromwich via Sutton for £3 but it's £4 to the centre of Birmingham. Alas I'm sure NX have done the research to see what would be effective and what wouldn't be.
Title: Re: Bus fares being reduced from June 21st?
Post by: Westy on July 15, 2021, 06:19:20 PM
Sister has received a letter from Nx regarding the year Black Country pass, that she used to get via work, but now she has to get direct from Nx themselves.

She will have to either download an app or go to a Swift machine to activate the change.
Title: Re: Bus fares being reduced from June 21st?
Post by: Gareth on July 15, 2021, 06:39:34 PM
Quote from: Westy on July 15, 2021, 06:19:20 PM
Sister has received a letter from Nx regarding the year Black Country pass, that she used to get via work, but now she has to get direct from Nx themselves.

She will have to either download an app or go to a Swift machine to activate the change.

Downloading the app takes seconds. Far easier than finding a swift machine.
Title: Re: Bus fares being reduced from June 21st?
Post by: Jack on July 15, 2021, 07:34:33 PM
Quote from: Gareth on July 15, 2021, 06:39:34 PM
Downloading the app takes seconds. Far easier than finding a swift machine.
Definitely so seeing as some machines at stops are being removed... one in West Heath is on the 45... sure theres a few more to go.
Title: Re: Bus fares being reduced from June 21st?
Post by: Westy on July 15, 2021, 10:14:12 PM
Quote from: Gareth on July 15, 2021, 06:39:34 PM
Downloading the app takes seconds. Far easier than finding a swift machine.

You don't know my sister!
Title: Re: Bus fares being reduced from June 21st?
Post by: Gareth on July 15, 2021, 10:34:20 PM
Quote from: Westy on July 15, 2021, 10:14:12 PM
You don't know my sister!

Maybe you could help her.
Title: Re: Bus fares being reduced from June 21st?
Post by: Westy on July 16, 2021, 07:03:27 AM
Quote from: Gareth on July 15, 2021, 10:34:20 PM
Maybe you could help her.

I do!
Title: Re: Bus fares being reduced from June 21st?
Post by: Solo1 on July 16, 2021, 09:04:12 AM
would of thought they would of reduced the nxbuss & metro pass i know nxbus dont run the metro any more but the bus pass for a month is reduced so would of thought reduce it by £10 to match the saving with a bus pass
Title: Re: Bus fares being reduced from June 21st?
Post by: Steveminor on July 16, 2021, 08:14:30 PM
Bus operators have decided to lower fares its upto other modes to decide what they do with their fares
Title: Re: Bus fares being reduced from June 21st?
Post by: Westy on July 17, 2021, 08:57:23 PM
Quote from: Westy on July 16, 2021, 07:03:27 AM
I do!

Looks like nothing is updated yet, as my sister tried her card on the Swift machine in Walsall Bus Station & it still showed the Black Country Faresaver.

Went in the Travelshop nearby & they couldn't help either!
Title: Re: Bus fares being reduced from June 21st?
Post by: Stu on July 18, 2021, 09:37:50 AM
Quote from: Westy on July 17, 2021, 08:57:23 PM
Looks like nothing is updated yet, as my sister tried her card on the Swift machine in Walsall Bus Station & it still showed the Black Country Faresaver.

Went in the Travelshop nearby & they couldn't help either!

Its not July 19th yet  ;)
Title: Re: Bus fares being reduced from June 21st?
Post by: Westy on July 18, 2021, 12:02:03 PM
Quote from: Stu on July 18, 2021, 09:37:50 AM
Its not July 19th yet  ;)

Here's a question then.

If you had bought a new Black Country pass or renewed a Black Country pass yesterday, would you have got an 'old' BC pass or a 'new' countywide pass instead?

The drawback my sister will have (temporaily) is that she had a year pass originally via work, but this time, she had to set up an account with NX direct, rather than her employer. (One of the emergency services)

As long as it all works tomorrow, no problem, she doesn't mind waiting a bit longer to update the pass, but it seemed strange that it didn't say you couldn't update the pass before the 19th, because for example you can update a pass that finishes on Sunday, as early as the previous Thursday!

Technical limitation I suppose, as usual
Title: Re: Bus fares being reduced from June 21st?
Post by: Tony on July 18, 2021, 12:28:08 PM
Quote from: Westy on July 18, 2021, 12:02:03 PM
Here's a question then.

If you had bought a new Black Country pass or renewed a Black Country pass yesterday, would you have got an 'old' BC pass or a 'new' countywide pass instead?

The drawback my sister will have (temporaily) is that she had a year pass originally via work, but this time, she had to set up an account with NX direct, rather than her employer. (One of the emergency services)

As long as it all works tomorrow, no problem, she doesn't mind waiting a bit longer to update the pass, but it seemed strange that it didn't say you couldn't update the pass before the 19th, because for example you can update a pass that finishes on Sunday, as early as the previous Thursday!

Technical limitation I suppose, as usual

The old one.

The new ones don't start until the 19th, unless you are extending and existing one that finishes today or later
Title: Re: Bus fares being reduced from June 21st?
Post by: ellspurs on July 19, 2021, 04:57:04 PM
Is it Alison Hammond doing the radio adverts for the bus fare reduction that I'm hearing on Heart today?