PLANS to take back control of the region’s bus network has been overwhelmingly backed in a a wide-ranging consultation.
The West Midlands Mayor, Richard Parker, set out plans to franchise the network shortly after coming into office last year and steps to turn this into a reality have been taking place.
A public consultation was launched at the start of the year and saw more than 3,600 responses from residents, businesses and organisations collected in over three-months.
The West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) said of those who gave a preference, 75 per cent were in favour of putting services under public control, also known as franchising, to create an affordable and reliable bus network.
The results are published ahead of the WMCA Board meeting at which the Mayor is set to make a landmark decision on whether to franchise the region’s bus services.
The private operator led network has struggled with rising costs in recent years, and so the WMCA is currently spending over £50 million a year to prevent services being reduced and fares increased further. In addition, the WMCA is making major ongoing investments in electric buses, bus stations and new bus priority routes to improve journeys for passengers.
The Mayor said: “Despite getting millions of pounds in taxpayers money each year the bus network is still letting people down. Passengers tell me services are unreliable and don’t always offer the routes or timetables they need.
“When I was elected to office I made it clear I believed that bringing our buses under public control would help us reduce traffic congestion, clean up our air, support our businesses and keep the region moving.
“My priority is to deliver a bus network that works for everyone which is why I launched this consultation. The results show people agree that we can, and must, do better.”
With 236 million journeys last year, bus is by far the most popular form of public transport in the region and, according to experts, every £1 invested in bus services generates £12 for the local economy.
Under franchising, Transport for West Midlands (TfWM), which is part of the WMCA, would set the fares, timetables and routes of bus services and award contracts to private bus operators to run them.
It means that the politically accountable Mayor and regional leaders, through TfWM, can design a network which best serves residents and businesses.
The report also confirms that there will be £22.5m one-off costs over the next three years for the transition towards a franchise network.
This does not include the purchase or lease of depots and buses which would pass from bus operators to TfWM and be funded through either the authority’s transport grants or low-cost borrowing financed through fare income.
If the move is approved, the rollout of franchised bus services is expected to begin in 2027.
