A 30p rise in the adult peak return fare on the Metrolink from Piccadilly to MediaCity may seem insignificant.
But on a fare of £3.20, an increase to £3.50 represents a rise of 9.37 per cent, almost twice the current UK inflation rate.
That insignificant extra sum falls to be paid every working day of the year by many commuters. And it comes on top of price rises in food, fuel, utilities and every other essential and luxury of life, all at a time when wages may be frozen or even cut.
The fare rise is less than this for some journeys, but the general picture is for above-inflation hikes to fares on the ever-expanding Metrolink network.
Of course, Metrolink is subject to the same inflationary pressures as every other business, most particularly in relation to that staple commodity of fuel.
Fares will inevitably rise, though discussions about the specifics behind these fare increases are ‘commercially sensitive’ and thus happen behind closed doors.
What we do know is that, as with last year’s fare review, travellers are being asked to pay over the odds.
Rightly or wrongly, they may feel that, having yielded to the persuasions of politicians down the years to use public transport, they are now, pardon the pun, being taken for a ride.
Meanwhile, those who cling to their car have already had more than their share of price rises, not just in terms of years of spiralling fuel and insurance costs but also in expensive parking charges. Adding to this pressure on the pocket is Manchester council’s extension of on-street parking charges to Sunday, and until 8pm in the evening.
The regeneration of Greater Manchester has depended in part upon a mobile workforce and people travelling to make use of a busy leisure and retail sector. Sadly, every rise in the price of getting around the region chips away at that mobility.
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Peak day travel (one off) without a season ticket. It is cheaper to drive and park in one of the £3 car parks than get Metrolink.
Also driving is not subject to long delays that occur extremely often and then ofcourse there is the none-existing Metrolink customer service announcements, or lack thereof.
Remember First has also put up there fares
New Adult Single ticket prices
£1.40 now £1.50
£1.90 now £2.10
£2.20 now £2.50
£2.80 now £3.10
£3.50 now £3.80
£4.60 now £4.50
Some services charge non-standard fares - please see below.
New Child Single ticket prices
With an IGO card:
£0.70 now £0.75
£0.90 now £1.05
£1.10 now £1.25
£1.40 now £1.55
£1.70 now £1.90
£2.30 now £2.25
Without an IGO card:
£0.90 now £0.95
£1.20 now £1.35
£1.40 now £1.60
£1.80 now £2.00
£2.30 now £2.45
£3.00 now £2.90
Period tickets
FirstDay - adult now £4.50 / child reduced £2.00
FirstDay Family now £8.60
FirstWeek - adult now £18.00 / child reduced £7.00*
FirstMonth - adult now £58.00
First Student 3 month - unchanged £110.00
First Annual - now £580.00
* promotional price, £8.00 from April 2012
Other fares
Service 22
£0.80 now £1.00
Service 110
£1.20 now £1.30
£1.30 now £1.40
£1.50 now £1.70
£1.70 now £1.90
£1.80 now £2.00
£2.20 now £2.50
£2.80 now £3.10
Service 350
£1.30 now £1.50
£1.80 now £2.10
Service 410/411
£1.00 now £1.10
£1.40 now £1.50
£1.70 now £1.80
£1.80 now £1.90
Promotional Fares
Service 81/81A/88/89 - £2.50 return and £12 weekly (valid between Manchester & Moston only) - unchanged
Services 348/350 - £2.50 day ticket now £2.80
Service 425 - £3.00 return now £3.30
Service 519 - £2.00 return withdrawn
seeing as goverment statistics state most of the population are over weight slobs puting the fares up is a good thing isnt it get those slobs walking the fat off save the nhs millions
I live in Borough Rd Altrincham and socialise in the Withington/ Didsbury area so I cant wait for the St Werburghs line to be extended, I have to change at Cornbrook but hey come on that is convenience for you bring it on but get a move on please.