Transport for West Midlands is asking everyone - including bus
users, residents, students and those who drive, walk or cycle -
for their views on designs for three new cross-city bus routes.
The cross-city routes are designed to improve bus reliability and
journey times to better connect communities and improve travel
across Birmingham city centre and its suburbs.
Improvements include new bus lanes and adjustments to junctions,
traffic signals, parking, and bus stops. These proposals would
allow buses to bypass traffic jams and provide more reliable,
faster journey times, benefiting up to 50 million passenger trips
per year.
Transport for West Midlands (TfWM), part of the West Midlands
Combined Authority (WMCA), in partnership with Birmingham City
Council is inviting the public to share their views on how to
make these proposed bus improvements as effective as possible.
The cross-city bus routes are part of the region's Bus Service
Improvement Plan and are funded from the City Region Sustainable
Transport Settlement (CRSTS) awarded by the Department for
Transport to the WMCA.
These proposed improvements support
the “Journeys for Everyone” priority announced by Richard Parker,
Mayor of the West Midlands and WMCA chair. The goal is to connect
communities and make bus travel easier, safer, and more
affordable for everyone.
By creating direct cross-city
routes, passengers can
expect fewer bus changes in Birmingham city centre, for quicker
and more convenient journeys.
The key routes under review in this
consultation are:
-
Alcester Road South between Kings
Heath and Druids Heath, part of a wider connection between
Dudley to Druids Heath (North to South), providing a more
efficient link through some of the city's busiest areas.
-
Sutton Coldfield and Castle Vale to
Longbridge along the A38, offering easier access to
universities, health facilities, shopping and leisure
activities, reducing travel times for students, residents and
commuters alike.
-
Soho Road, enhancing bus travel
between West Bromwich and Birmingham city centre – the first
part of an east-west cross-city route towards Heartlands
Hospital and East Birmingham.
These proposals are designed to support walking and cycling in
our key centres. Additionally, TfWM continues to support the
introduction of zero-emission buses as part of our plans to cut
pollution and address the climate emergency.
The Mayor said: "I want to make everyday travel easier and more
dependable for everyone - whether it's getting to work, school,
or important appointments without the stress of delays or
complicated changes. The consultations are a chance for people to
have their say in shaping the bus network. It's vital that we
work together to build a network that is not just efficient but
also affordable and reliable.
“This is the start of our journey toward a bus network that we
can be proud of and makes sure every resident has access to
affordable and dependable bus services."
Cllr Majid Mahmood, cabinet member for transport and environment
with Birmingham City Council, said: "We need residents and
visitors to use more sustainable modes of transport as they move
around the city and region and public transport is a vital part
of this, alongside walking and cycling.
“Improved bus routes will be a key part of achieving our
ambitious net zero carbon emissions target so we all have a
cleaner, greener and healthier city. I would urge everyone to
take part in the consultation."
The cross-city bus programme covers a series of ongoing projects
to improve bus journey times and reliability. At the same time
the WMCA is, under the mayor's direction, reviewing the way our
bus services are run with a view to taking more control over
fares, routes and timetables. An update is due to go the WMCA
Board later this autumn.
The launch of this consultation marks an important step in
shaping a more efficient and environmentally friendly public
transport network for Birmingham and the surrounding areas.
To have your say, visit the
TfWM Commonplace page.
