The West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) is asking bus passengers across Birmingham and the wider region to help shape the future of bus services as plans to bring them under public control continue. The consultation, named 'Your Bus, Your Say', invites residents to give feedback on routes, ticketing, stops and the overall journey experience.
Franchising model to give WMCA control
Under the proposed franchising system, Mayor Richard Parker and the WMCA will take control of bus routes, timetables and fares, while private operators will be contracted to run the services. This marks a significant shift from the current deregulated model, aiming to give the public more say over how buses operate.
The WMCA is currently in the process of buying National Express West Midlands' entire bus operations, with the deal expected to complete around November 2026. The bidding process for contracts covering Coventry, North Birmingham and Walsall is already under way, with services in these areas scheduled to launch in October 2027. The rollout across the rest of the West Midlands is set to finish by 2029.
Public consultation on every part of the journey
Bus users are being encouraged to share their views not only on specific routes but also on how the entire bus journey can be improved, from buying a ticket and waiting at the stop to the ride itself. The feedback will be used to design a bus network that meets the needs of current and future passengers.
Mayor Richard Parker said: “We all want our buses to be reliable, safe, easy to use, affordable and welcoming to all. This region-wide conversation is about us understanding what that means to the people who use our buses now and those we want to use them in future.
“We’ll look at every part of the journey, from planning a route and buying a ticket, to waiting at the stop and the ride itself, to find out what matters most to people and how we can make services better.
“This feedback will help us design and build a bus network we can all be proud of.”
How to have your say
Residents can find out more about the proposals, participate in the consultation and sign up for future opportunities to get involved by visiting the 'Your Bus, Your Say' website. The consultation is open to everyone who uses buses in the West Midlands, as well as those who might consider using them in the future.
The outcome of the consultation will directly influence the design of the franchised bus network, which is expected to be fully operational across the region by 2029. The WMCA aims to create a more reliable, affordable and passenger-focused bus service under public control.
