Commenting on the increase to bus fares Saqib said "I am disappointed that the price an adult single ticket will be going up, with an increase of almost 50% taking the cost from £2 to £2.90, on some operators.
This increase will hit the finances of hardworking people, who depend on public transportation for their livelihoods. That is why I heavily campaigned to keep the £2 cap on fares.
What is particularly disappointing, is that fares will remain at current levels in both Manchester and London, following the Labour Governments decision to increase the cap on fares from the £2 set by the previous Conservative Government to £3. This is an increase of 50%
If Manchester and London have managed to keep costs at current levels, why are the people of the West Midlands being forced to suffer the additional cost of this ill-thought-through policy? This is unacceptable.
Will the Labour Mayor of the West Midlands step up and do what is right and fight to reverse this decision, allowed by the national Labour Government's dramatic uplift in the fare cap.
Will they decide to support working people who are dependent on public transport?
After the Covid pandemic, I campaigned to ensure our bus routes were protected. It was hard as usage had gone down but with fares going up and the routes being rejigged, the risk is that many bus users will be left without an effective service.
My constituents across Meriden and Solihull East should have a bus service that serves their needs. I worry that they won’t get this, but they will end up picking up the bill. The Mayor of the West Midlands needs to show he is putting them first. Will he?"
