Region's bus network in extended funding deal

A new funding deal to stop a number of West Midlands bus services being cut has been agreed.

The West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) board has green lit an extension of the Bus Network Support Grant which provides financial support to operators.

It will be extended from 1 to 30 April, with a new arrangement kicking in from 1 May to 31 December. The decision comes amid public consultation events on plans to bring services under public control.

A report to the board revealed last month, that more than 30% of current commercially-operated routes would be put at risk without the funding, while fares would face bigger hikes.

West Midlands mayor Richard Parker dismissed claims that the network was "failing", although he has pledged to introduce a franchising system – to replace the current deregulated model – which would bring control of the routes, timetables and fares back under public control.

At a meeting on Friday, Mr Parker said the authority provided about £50m in grants a year to operators, but despite the funding, bus fares had increased while services had been reduced.

"Tens of thousands of our residents rely on our bus network every day to get to school, college and work, and access essential services like doctors' appointments," he told the meeting.

"But our bus network isn't working for our residents. And this annual round of negotiations, to agree funding to prop up a failing system, is exactly why we need a better solution to how we run our buses.

"That's why we are taking steps to bring the service under greater public control and ensure it remains affordable and accessible to everyone."

Under the proposal, WMCA body Transport for West Midlands (TfWM) would set bus fares, timetables and routes, while awarding contracts to private bus operators to run those routes.

The consultation has attracted more than 3,000 responses before the 30 March deadline to respond.

This news was gathered by the Local Democracy Reporting Service which covers councils and other public service organisations.

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