Metro ticket prices set to increase with inflation
FARE HIKE SET TO GO BEFORE COUNCIL TODAY
TICKET prices on the crisis-hit Tyne and Wear Metro are set to increase.
Transport chiefs have revealed details of proposed fare increases on the struggling rail network, which has been badly hit by the Covid pandemic.
However, operator Nexus says that the suggested price hikes have been limited to an overall 1.6% rise in line with inflation – rather than being dramatically upped to help cover massive losses caused by heavily-reduced Metro passenger numbers.
The cost of every single or allday ticket, except for children’s tickets, will increase by 10p under the plans, if approved by councillors today.
Weekly passes will increase by a maximum of 20p, four-week tickets by up to 80p, and annual passes by no more than £7 from April 1.
Prices will be frozen for older and disabled people with a £12-a-year Gold Card, Pop Blue Pay As You Go fares for under-18s, and child fares for those aged 16 and under.
A family offer allowing up to three children aged 11 and under to travel for free at weekends if accompanied by a fare paying adult will also be extended to all day, every day.
Nexus says it also wants to “explore new ticket options” – such as offering cheaper, more flexible tickets for part-time workers
Cashless ticket payments are also set to be introduced at Nexus’ six pay and display Metro car parks, where daily fees will increase from £1 to £1.20 – this would apply at Bank Foot, Callerton Parkway, Four Lane Ends, Northumberland Park, Regent Centre, and Stadium of Light.
The changes are due to be signed off by the North East Joint Transport Committee’s Tyne and Wear Sub-Committee this afternoon.
Metro fare rises are usually introduced in January but were delayed this year as bosses came up with plans to combat a cash crisis that has been severely worsened by Covid-19.
The Metro has needed almost £40million worth of government grants to keep trains running since the pandemic hit.
That funding is due to run out in April and no further money has been confirmed yet.
The government was last week urged to commit to long-term funding for the Metro, after it emerged that Nexus was told to base its recovery plans on the unlikely prospect that social distancing would come to an end in April.
However, it is understood that Nexus currently has no plans to impose even further ticket price increases this year, regardless of its financial situation beyond April.
Chief Operating Officer at Nexus, Martin Kearney, said: “We propose to keep the excellent discounts that we offer through Pop Pay As You Go, despite facing the biggest financial crisis in 40 years of Metro operations due to Covid19 hitting our passenger numbers hard. “Other fares are recommended to go up in order to help us meet our running costs at a time when we have seen passenger numbers fall.
“We have kept these proposed fare increases as low as we possibly can and in line with the cost of living. The Metro is a public service that doesn’t make a profit, so we require Government support to keep it running.
“Despite this, we are putting forward a balanced package of fares, one that will ensure that the Tyne and Wear Metro continue to offer the most affordable fares in the country.”
We have kept these proposed fare increases as low as we possibly can and in line with the cost of living.
Martin Kearney