The sign on the front of the bus declares that bus fares are now frozen, as indeed are the passengers waiting to board the bus. In fact, in a remarkable philanthropic gesture by West Midlands Travel (now part of National Express... sigh) they have indeed postponed their usual January hike in bus fares because, quote:
The region's largest bus operator is freezing the price of all bus fares into 2010 to help the region recover from the effects of the recession. Bus fares have traditionally been adjusted at the start of each year.
The West Midlands has the highest unemployment levels in the country, with over 200,000 people out of work. National Express took the decision to freeze their bus fares to ensure customers can continue to access education and employment at a low cost.
Nice one and very welcome, now can we have the 42C service back please?