West Midlands Mayor Richard Parker has disclosed the critical feedback he received from business leaders regarding the region's bus services, which has directly influenced the decision to transition to public ownership. During a recent West Midlands Combined Authority joint overview and scrutiny committee meeting, Mr Parker faced questions about his strategy to move bus operations from private control to a franchised model under public oversight.
Private Sector Failure Sparks Public Takeover
Mayor Parker stated unequivocally that the move to franchise the bus network is driven by necessity, following what he described as a failure by the private sector operator. He highlighted that despite receiving tens of millions of pounds in annual subsidies, services have been declining rather than improving, undermining regional connectivity and economic opportunities.
Business Community's Surprising Priority
During his 2024 election campaign, Mr Parker engaged with communities and business groups across the West Midlands. He expressed surprise at the consistent message from business bosses, who identified bus network improvements as their top priority. In particular, he recalled a meeting with the Chamber of Commerce in Solihull, where he expected other issues to dominate discussions.
"I didn't imagine them to say 'franchise the buses' but that's exactly what they did," Mr Parker told the committee. He emphasised that businesses pointed out how inadequate bus services prevent young people in northern Solihull from accessing jobs in prosperous areas like the town centre, Birmingham Airport, Jaguar Land Rover, and the southern part of the borough.
Addressing Employment and Transport Mismatch
The Mayor detailed how current bus timetables fail to align with employer shift patterns, creating a significant barrier to employment. This misalignment, he argued, hampers efforts to increase opportunities and economic growth in the region. "The failure of our bus network undermines everything I want to do in terms of increasing opportunity," Mr Parker asserted.
Learning from Greater Manchester's Success
Mr Parker pointed to the successful implementation of bus franchising in Greater Manchester as a model for the West Midlands. He believes that taking buses into public control will allow for a complete redesign of the network, enabling timetables that better serve the needs of residents and businesses alike.
"Bus franchising gives us a great opportunity to re-frame the way in which buses work, to look at ways in which we can run the network, build a timetable that meets the needs of the West Midlands," he explained. "That's why it has been such a great success in Greater Manchester and that's exactly why it will be a great success here too."
Progress and Challenges Ahead
While expressing confidence in the plan, Mr Parker acknowledged that substantial work remains. He noted that his team is collaborating closely with the Department for Transport to ensure best practices are followed and that budgets are in place to support the transition. However, not all are convinced; Coventry councillor Pervez Akhtar voiced concerns during the meeting, seeking reassurances that the franchising process will deliver the anticipated benefits.
The move represents a significant shift in transport policy for the West Midlands, driven by direct input from the business community and aimed at revitalising a crucial public service that impacts daily commutes and economic vitality across the region.
