Plans for more public control over West Midlands buses to take step forward

West Midlands Combined Authority members are set to discuss the introduction of a new franchising model for the region’s network at a board meeting on Friday.

Within days of being elected in May, Mayor Richard Parker said franchising was “key” for building a successful bus operation in the West Midlands.

Subsidies for buses have been in operation since deregulation but Transport for West Midlands (TfWM) said soaring costs in fuel, labour, parts and engineers had seen £75 million forked out in just a year and a half.

The authority said the funding has been necessary to stop routes being cut and fares going through the roof.

The current subsidy agreement expires in January and Mr Parker said the authority will cover costs of around £25m before the transition to a new model takes place.

A report said an assessment, by external consultants appointed by TfWM, concluded franchising is the “most effective and efficient way of delivering bus services across the region as opposed to the current deregulated system”.

Members will be asked to approve an audit and due diligence is carried out on the Full Franchising Assessment as well as the establishment of a Bus Reform Panel.

Once the audit is completed, it will then be decided whether to move to the consultation phase, expected to be in November this year at the earliest.

A decision on adopting the franchise model will be made no earlier than March next year after which it will take another two years to come into effect.

Back in May, Mr Parker said: “I was very clear when setting out my manifesto for bus franchising which will improve services across the region for people for communities and for businesses and allow us to extend the network and keep fares down.

“But also it’s about how we work with our partners and communities to design a bus network of the future that works for everyone.

“Once it’s up and running the system will stand on its own two feet but the additional advantage is any surplus made can be invested back into services rather than into dividends for shareholders.

“Passengers and communities will help design the bus network which works for everyone that allows people to get to high streets, doctors, college and jobs.”