REDDITCH parents are facing a 50 per cent hike in childrens’ fares after the town’s Diamond Bus Company unveiled across the board increases from Monday.
The rise will see a Redditch Child Day ticket jump 50 per cent from £1.20 to £1.80 and an Adult Day to £2.20 from £1.90.
A Child’s Weekly ticket will now set parents back by £7.50 – a 25 per cent increase from £6.
Diamond bosses said that, following a consultation with bus users, they had identified two key requests – improved vehicles and increased services.
In a statement Diamond said to deliver these , the company needed to ‘re-balance’ its fare structure.
The news has sparked outrage across the town.
Donna Parry, who formed a pressure group last October after being so fed-up with Diamond, said: “It’s a huge increase – and for children too – they’re asking mums and dads to pay a bigger increase.
“I’m on maternity leave but I’ll be going back shortly and for me that’s going to be a massive increase in bus fares.
“You wouldn’t mind if it was an excellent service but it’s rubbish.”
Single mom Sue Field said she has no choice but to hope her employer can offer extra hours to help foot her bus bill: “I am seriously worried. I am going to ask for more hours but my boss can’t just magic them up.”
In a passenger notice, Diamond added it has ‘endeavoured’ to freeze fares where possible and keep increases as low as it can.
The overhaul also includes plans to merge the current Redditch Town and Redditch Extra zones into a new Redditch zone – covering all of Redditch and Studley.
Diamond added: “We believe the new fare structure still represents extremely good value for money and remains significantly cheaper than fares in nearby Birmingham.”
Paul McNamara, business development manager, added thanks to the zone revisions – some adult travellers will see a price reduction.
• What do you think – Are Diamond Bus fares good value? Email us at redditchstandard.co.uk or write to Redditch Standard, Webb House, Church Green East, Redditch B98 8BP.
