West Midlands gives greenlight to return buses to public control through franchising

Bus services across the West Midlands are set to return to public control for the first time in nearly four decades, following a decision by elected mayor Richard Parker to implement a franchising model.

The move, signed off at a West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) board meeting earlier this month, initiates a phased transition from the current privately operated system to a publicly controlled network.

The first franchised services are expected to launch in late 2027, with full rollout anticipated by 2029.

The current private operator-led bus network has struggled with rising costs in recent years and is currently being propped up with £50 million a year of taxpayers’ money to prevent more services from being cut.

“For too long, our buses have been run for private profits, not public good. Today, that changes,” said Mayor Parker. “The public have been clear – they want a better bus service under public control, and I’ve heard them loud and clear.

“The work is now underway, and over the next two years we’ll create a bus network that puts passengers first - reliable, affordable and run in the interests of the people that use them.”

With 236 million journeys last year, buses account for eight in ten public transport trips. A well-used and low emission network is seen as a crucial part of the region’s plans to cut traffic congestion and improve air quality and the environment.

Under franchising, Transport for West Midlands (TfWM), which is part of the WMCA, will set the fares, timetables and routes of bus services and award a series of contracts to private bus operators to run them. This means that the politically accountable Mayor and regional leaders, through TfWM, will be able to design a network which best serves residents and businesses.

There are expected to be nine local area franchises with three rolled out each year from 2027-2029, plus a number of smaller single route contracts to encourage smaller bus operators to bid.

An extensive consultation earlier this year found 75% of residents and organisations who expressed a preference were in support of franchising. This included a majority of bus operators and local councils.

The one-off costs of setting up the new franchised operation and designing the new network is expected to be £22.5 million over three years.

TfWM is also continuing to invest in key infrastructure including a network of bus priority routes to help services bypass traffic jams and improve reliability.

According to TfWM, every £1 invested in bus services generates £12 for the local economy.