West Midlands Mayor Announces Major Bus Network Overhaul
West Midlands Mayor Richard Parker has declared that franchising the region's bus network is an absolute necessity due to the persistent failures of the current private operator-led system. The announcement came during a recent West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) joint overview and scrutiny committee meeting, where the mayor faced detailed questioning about his ambitious transport plans.
Addressing Concerns About Public Control
Coventry councillor Pervez Akhtar expressed significant concerns about the proposed changes, highlighting what he described as "disquiet" among some stakeholders regarding the transition process. Councillor Akhtar specifically requested reassurances that the franchising initiative would deliver its promised benefits within the established timeframe and budget constraints.
"How confident are you and your team that you will be able to deliver franchising and also on trains to deliver reliability, affordability and frequency?" Councillor Akhtar questioned during the meeting. "There is some disquiet, even in this organisation, and it would be helpful if you tell us it will happen within time and within budget."
The Economic Imperative for Change
Mayor Parker revealed that during his 2024 election campaign, business leaders across the region consistently identified the failing bus network as their primary concern. The mayor recounted a particularly telling conversation with the Chamber of Commerce in Solihull, where he expected to hear about traditional business priorities but instead received a clear directive to franchise the buses.
"The failure of our bus network undermines everything I want to do in terms of increasing opportunity," Mayor Parker stated emphatically. He highlighted specific problems where young people in northern Solihull cannot access employment opportunities in prosperous areas like the town centre, Birmingham Airport, and Jaguar Land Rover facilities due to inadequate bus timetables that fail to align with shift patterns.
Current System's Shortcomings and Future Vision
The current arrangement sees WMCA providing approximately £50 million in annual subsidies to private bus operators, yet this substantial public investment has failed to prevent fare increases and service reductions. Mayor Parker criticised this model, stating that private operators have "failed this region" despite benefiting from tens of millions in public subsidies each year.
Under the proposed franchised system, Transport for West Midlands would gain greater control over fares, routes, and timetables, allowing for a more coordinated approach to public transportation. Mayor Parker pointed to the success of similar models in Greater Manchester as evidence that franchising can deliver improved services and better economic outcomes.
Implementation and Next Steps
The mayor expressed confidence in his team's ability to implement the changes successfully, noting that they are working closely with the Department for Transport to ensure best practices are followed. "We're making good progress," Mayor Parker assured the committee. "I'm confident with the team around me we've got the budgets in place to deliver on that."
This announcement comes alongside news that West Midlands Trains will also be brought back into public control by the end of the month, representing a significant shift in transport governance across the region. The combined approach aims to create a more integrated, reliable, and affordable public transport network that better serves both communities and the local economy.
