Mayor launches consultation on taking control of region’s bus services

Consultation over the biggest shake up of regional bus services in decades was today (Monday January 6) launched by Richard Parker, Mayor of the West Midlands with a rallying cry for people to take part.

Over the next three months the public are being asked to give their views on the Mayor’s plan for a franchised bus network to replace the current private operator led system.

Under franchising, Transport for West Midlands (TfWM), which is part of the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA), will set the fares, timetables and routes of bus services and award contracts to private bus operators to run them.

Richard Parker, Mayor of the West Midlands and WMCA chair, at Pool Meadow Bus Station in Coventry, promoting the launch of the consultation

It means the politically accountable Mayor and regional leaders, through TfWM, can design a network which best serves residents and businesses. 

The wide-ranging consultation – available on the TfWM website – will outline what franchising entails and ask people, businesses and groups for their views which will then be submitted to the Mayor before a final decision is taken in the Spring.

Eight in ten public transport journeys in the West Midlands are by bus – accounting for more than 240 million passenger journeys last year. It is estimated the network contributes £4.4 billion a year to the regional economy (KPMG figure).

The Mayor said: “Buses are the backbone of our transport system, used by thousands of people every week to get to work, school, hospital, to see friends or visit our high streets. They provide an affordable alternative to the car, helping to reduce traffic congestion and pollution while supporting our businesses. 

“But despite getting £50 million a year of public funding the current system is letting people down – they are often unreliable and don’t always offer the routes or timetables that people need. 

“That is why I pledged to make the region’s buses work for its people and this consultation is a big step towards delivering on that. I want people to give their views and help us shape a new bus network together.” 

Last month the WMCA Board agreed to go out to consultation after an independent audit concluded that franchising would deliver better value for money and improve services. The consultation runs until March 30, 2025.

Currently, TfWM pays £50 million a year in top up funding to keep commercial bus services on the road but control of routes, timetables and some fares still rests with the operators.

If approved, it is estimated the transition will cost the authority £22 million with the roll of franchised bus services starting in 2027. In addition, it will be necessary to buy buses and depots, funded through low-cost borrowing and paid back with 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 the region’s busy towns and cities.