Albion are freezing season ticket prices for next season – unless they are promoted to the Premier League.

However, all season ticket holders will have to pay an extra £30 per adult per season by way of a transport levy which is being reintroduced.

The levy covers 23 league games, with the extra charge for concessions being £15 for under-18s and over-65s.

Although the compulsory charge is bound to meet with some opposition, the club believe their decision to freeze prices and replace the current travel voucher system will be welcomed by most.

The levy equates to £2.50 per month, £1.25 for concessions, on top of the current cost of the season ticket. It will include subsidised bus or train travel within the travel zone, subsidised coach travel across all the various coach operators or use of the club’s park and ride from the start of next season.

Supporters who wanted the benefits of subsidised travel this season purchased travel vouchers at £30 a season and will therefore see no difference in their pockets.

The people who will feel the affect of the charge are those who walk or cycle to The Amex, although Albion are keen to point out they have upgraded the infrastructure around the stadium to help walkers and cyclists at a cost to the club.

A statement by the club read: “This is not a decision that has been taken lightly by the Board and the reason for the reintroduction of the levy is that the travel voucher system was not working efficiently, for either the club or supporters, and the system was open to abuse.

“Consequently, travel vouchers will not be required for next season. We have the most sustainable transport model of any football club in this country and we want to maintain and improve it to the benefit of everyone.

“We hope you will see this as a progressive move by the club – and please do remember we are continuing to heavily subsidise the overall cost of The Amex matchday transport scheme which has drawn high praise from the Football Association, Football League and Brighton and Hove City Council.”

The club will be writing to all season ticket holders with details of pricing for next season. If Albion are promoted to the Premier League, fans will be contacted again regarding any additional increase.

A new sales period for potential new season ticket holders will be announced in due course. There will also be a levy added to matchday ticket prices for next season for people buying on a game to game basis.

Meanwhile, if the club is successful in gaining planning approval for the additional seats at The Amex, away supporters will be moved to part of the East Stand, which will mean a small number of season ticket holders will need to be relocated either to the new upper tier of the East Stand or to somewhere else in the stadium.