Major step forward on Mayor’s plan to take control of region’s bus network

West Midlands Mayor Richard Parker’s proposals for a franchised bus network have taken a major step forward after an independent audit found it would offer improved services and better value for money for the taxpayer.

At today’s West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) Board meeting council leaders agreed to launch a 12-week public consultation on the plan starting on 6th January 2025. This will be reviewed before a final decision is taken in the Spring.

Under franchising, Transport for West Midlands (TfWM), which is part of the WMCA, will set the fares, timetables and routes of bus services and award contracts to private bus operators to run them. It means that the politically accountable Mayor and regional leaders, through TfWM, can design a network which best serves residents and businesses.

TfWM is currently paying £50 million a year in top up funding to keep commercial bus services on the road but ultimately decisions over which routes run and frequency of services still sits with the private bus operators.

Richard Parker, Mayor of the West Midlands and WMCA chair with Pete Bond, Director of Integrated Transport Services for TfWM

A report by auditor EY, presented to the WMCA Board, concluded that a franchising system would both increase competition among operators for contracts, raise standards of service and offer better value for money.

The Mayor said: “Thousands of people rely on our bus network for their daily commute to work or school, hospital appointments and doctors’ surgeries, trips to the shops and days out. 

“But despite getting £50 million a year of public funding we have no direct control over services and people tell me they’re unreliable and don’t take them where they need to go.  

“Today, council leaders have backed my plans to progress to a public consultation on bringing buses under greater public control. This is a major step forward to making it a reality.

“I pledged to make our buses work for the people of the West Midlands, and already we are starting to deliver on it.”

If approved, the cost of transition is estimated at £22.5 million over the next three years. This does not include the purchase of depots or vehicles, which could be funded through low-cost borrowing – paid back through future fare income.

Improving bus services, integrated with trams and trains, and increasing passenger numbers are a key part of the region’s plans to decarbonise the transport network and support  economic growth. This helps all road users by cutting traffic congestion and improving air quality in our busy towns and cities.