75% of people back plans for public control of bus networks, Transport for West Midlands say

More than 3,600 responses from residents, businesses and organisations were collected over a three-month period following a consultation that asked the public for their thoughts on putting the region's bus services back in public control. 

Of the responses, 75 per cent of people were in favour of putting services under public control  (also known as franchising). West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) says this is an attempt to create an affordable and reliable network.

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The results are published ahead of the West Midlands Combined Authority board meeting next week, at which the Mayor will make a landmark decision on whether to franchise the region's bus services.

The WMCA said that the private operator-led network has struggled in recent years and that the WMCA is currently spending over £50 million a year to prevent services from being reduced and fares increased further.

Richard Parker, the mayor of the West Midlands, said: "Despite getting millions of pounds in taxpayers money each year the bus network is still letting people down. Passengers tell me services are unreliable and don’t always offer the routes or timetables they need.

“When I was elected to office I made it clear I believed that bringing our buses under public control would help us reduce traffic congestion, clean up our air, support our businesses and keep the region moving.

“My priority is to deliver a bus network that works for everyone which is why I launched this consultation. The results show people agree that we can, and must, do better."

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

The report also confirms that there will be £22.5m one-off costs over the next three years for the transition towards a franchise network.

The move does not include the purchase or lease of depots and buses, which would pass from bus operators to TfWM and be funded through either the authority's transport grants or low-cost borrowing finances through fare income.

If the move is approved, the rollout of franchised bus services is expected to begin in 2027.

Do you think the region's transport services should be under public control? Let us know in the comments below