Consultation over the biggest shake up of regional bus services
in decades was today (Monday January 6) launched by , Mayor of the West Midlands
with a rallying cry for people to take part.
Over the next three months the public are being asked to give
their views on the Mayor's plan for a franchised bus network to
replace the current private operator led system.
Under franchising, Transport for West Midlands (TfWM), which is
part of the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA), will set the
fares, timetables and routes of bus services and award contracts
to private bus operators to run them.
It means the politically accountable Mayor and regional leaders,
through TfWM, can design a network which best serves residents
and businesses.
The wide-ranging consultation – available on the TfWM website – will
outline what franchising entails and ask people, businesses and
groups for their views which will then be submitted to the Mayor
before a final decision is taken in the Spring.
Eight in ten public transport journeys in the West Midlands are
by bus – accounting for more than 240 million passenger journeys
last year. It is estimated the network contributes £4.4 billion a
year to the regional economy (KPMG figure).
The Mayor said: “Buses are the backbone of our transport system,
used by thousands of people every week to get to work, school,
hospital, to see friends or visit our high streets. They provide
an affordable alternative to the car, helping to reduce traffic
congestion and pollution while supporting our businesses.
“But despite getting £50 million a year of public funding the
current system is letting people down – they are often unreliable
and don't always offer the routes or timetables that people
need.
“That is why I pledged to make the region's buses work for its
people and this consultation is a big step towards delivering on
that. I want people to give their views and help us shape a new
bus network together.”
Last month the WMCA Board agreed to go out to consultation after
an independent audit concluded that franchising would deliver
better value for money and improve services. The consultation
runs until March 30, 2025.
Currently, TfWM pays £50 million a year in top up funding to keep
commercial bus services on the road but control of routes,
timetables and some fares still rests with the operators.
If approved, it is estimated the transition will cost the
authority £22 million with the roll of franchised bus services
starting in 2027. In addition, it will be necessary to buy buses
and depots, funded through low-cost borrowing and paid back with
future fare income.
Improving bus services, integrated with trams and trains, and
increasing passenger numbers are a key part of the region's plans
to decarbonise the transport network and support economic growth.
This helps all road users by cutting traffic congestion and
improving air quality in the region's busy towns and
cities.
