Bus fares across the West Midlands are going to rise at the end of the month as operators struggle to meet costs.

Transport for West Midlands announced day and season ticket prices are set to rise by an average of 6% a move which has been agreed by all bus operators in the area.

This means, for example, the nbus day ticket rise by 30p to £4.80 and the four week fare rise from £60 to £64. The single fare remains set at £2, capped under a funding agreement with the Department for Transport, until at least the end of this year.

The news comes just weeks after new West Midlands Mayor Richard Parker announced plans to bring bus franchises under public control. A spokesperson for the authority said this was still on the table and a review into bus services was being undertaken.

They added, despite the increase, the new fares remain lower than equivalent fares in Liverpool City Region and Greater Manchester.

A total of 232 million journeys a year are made by buses in the West Midlands while tens of thousands use the services every day.

But the authority said bus operators are under acute financial pressures due to steep rises in the cost of fuel, maintenance and labour over recent years and stubborn passenger numbers which remain at around 90% of pre-Covid 19 levels.

Pete Bond, director of integrated transport services with TfWM, said: “Despite many challenges we have worked with bus operators since the pandemic to keep fare rises to an absolute minimum.

“And even though they are rising, fares remain great value for the many people who rely on buses day in and day out.

“At the same time we are working on plans to secure the long-term future of our bus network and will announce the results of the review in the coming weeks.”

Full details of the changes are available from bus operators or via the TfWM website.