Labour minister backs West Midlands mayor's bus overhaul plan

Local Transport Minister Simon Lightwood said moving away from the current private operator-led system to a franchise model would give passengers the services they deserve.

The region’s Mayor Richard Parker signed the landmark agreement on Friday (May 9) following a meeting of the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) board.

Mr Parker said franchising will ensure passengers have control over fares, routes and timetables.

The first franchised services are expected to start rolling out in late 2027 with the whole process due to be completed in 2029.

A series of contracts to run services will be awarded to private bus operators.

There are expected to be nine local area franchises with three rolled out each year from 2027 to 2029, with a number of smaller, single-route contracts available to encourage smaller bus operators to bid.

Mr Lightwood said: “I am absolutely delighted that local leaders across the West Midlands have voted with both hands to take back control of their buses to give local people the services they deserve.

“Residents from Bromsgrove to Bloxwich will be able to visit their friends and family, reach exciting job opportunities, and access the public services they need.

“Our incoming Bus Services Bill will unlock opportunities up and down the country for those who have been cut off from reliable local transport for far too long, and drive up living standards, as outlined in our plan for change.

“We’re also investing over £1 billion to make services more reliable, frequent and affordable – including over £100 million right here in the West Midlands to boost infrastructure, enhance service frequency or improve reliability.”

There will be one-off costs of £22.5 million over three years to set up and design the new network.

Bus depots and more than 1,000 buses will also need to be bought or leased through transport authority grants or borrowing through fare income.

Around 236 million journeys were made by bus last year, accounting for 80 per cent of public transport trips.

The combined authority currently subsidises the existing deregulated model with £50 million per year just to ensure services are not axed as private operators struggle with costs.

Bosses said franchising would open up contracts to a wider range of operators and increase competition – something an independent audit last year concluded would provide better value for money.