Public control of buses backed in consultation

A proposal to put the West Midlands bus network into public ownership is widely supported, a consultation has shown.

Out of the 3,600 people who took part, including residents, businesses and organisations, 75% who expressed a preference backed bringing services under public control, the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) said.

A decision by Mayor Richard Parker on whether to franchise the region's bus services is expected next week.

Under franchising plans, Transport for West Midlands (TfWM), part of the WMCA, would set the fares, timetables and routes of bus services and award contracts to private operators to run them.

The WMCA said the privately-operated network had struggled with rising costs and the authority was currently spending more than £50m a year to prevent services being cut and fares increased.

Parker 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."

He said bringing buses under public control would help reduce traffic congestion, clean up the air, support businesses and keep the region moving.

One-off costs are expected to be £22.5m over three years to make the transition.

Costs of purchasing and leasing depots and buses would pass to TfWM, and funding would come from the authority's transport grants or low-cost borrowing, financed through fare income, a report said.

If the move is approved, the rollout of franchised bus services is expected to begin in 2027.

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