The West Midlands Combined Authority has confirmed that it will move forward with its plans for a fully franchised bus network by 2029
Mayor of the West Midlands Richard Parker says he will ‘revolutionise’ the region’s buses after giving the go-ahead to proposals to move the region’s bus services to a franchised regime. The decision, signed by the Mayor following a West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) Board meeting on Friday 9 May, has started the transition process towards enacting franchised bus services, which are likely to begin in 2027, with the first services planned to include a non-stop Sprint route from Walsall to Solihull via Birmingham city centre. The whole process is expected to conclude in 2029.
The Mayor said: “For too long, our buses have been run for private profits, not public good. Today, that changes. The public have been clear – they want a better bus service under public control, and I’ve heard them loud and clear. I promised to take back control of our buses – and today’s decision shows we’re delivering on that promise. The work is now underway, and over the next two years we’ll create a bus network that puts passengers first – reliable, affordable and run in the interests of the people that use them.”
There are expected to be nine local area franchises, with three rolled out each year from 2027 to 2029, plus a number of smaller single route contracts which West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) says will encourage smaller bus operators to bid. WMCA says that an extensive consultation earlier this year found 75% of residents and organisations who expressed a preference were in support of franchising, including a majority of bus operators and local councils.
The one-off costs of setting up the new franchised operation and designing the new network are expected to be £22.5 million over three years.
RICHARD SHARMAN
Transport for West Midlands (TfWM) already owns one depot in Walsall, and says that as well as depots a fleet of more than 1,000 buses will also be needed, which will either be bought outright or leased using either the authority’s transport grants or borrowing through fare income, a move which it says will increase competition by opening up the new franchises to a wider range of operators.
TfWM says it is also continuing to invest in key infrastructure including a network of bus priority routes to help services bypass congestion and improve reliability. The local authority adds that it is spending around £50 million per year to support non profit making and socially necessary services.
Responding to the plans, Bus Strategy and Commercial Director at National Express West Midlands Antony Goozee said: “As a leading bus operator in the West Midlands, we take great pride in running bus services in the region, carrying more than 4.5 million passengers every week. We recognise the ambitions of the Mayor and the West Midlands Combined Authority to significantly invest in the bus network and develop a new operating model that maximises value for public investment, enhances mobility, and supports economic growth across the region.
“Our long-standing and successful partnership with Transport for West Midlands is something we greatly value. Drawing on decades of experience, we remain fully committed to working collaboratively to deliver high-quality bus services, supporting a smooth and effective transition to the new franchising model as well as continuing to improve our service excellence well into the future.”
