Major shake-up of West Midlands buses to make fares, routes and timetables better takes another step forward

Members of the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) Board agreed to move to a public consultation on plans to introduce a bus franchise model in the region.

Mayor Richard Parker set out his plans to bring the network back into public control shortly after being elected in May, saying the franchise model would give passengers greater control over fares, routes and timetables.

Board members all agreed that ‘doing nothing’ with the current deregulated network, which sees one operator dominant in the region, was not an option.

But some council leaders said it was important all the risks and costs were understood.

Solihull Council boss Councillor Ian Courts criticised the length of a 700-page report giving detail of an auditor’s Full Franchising Assessment, which said the model offered the best value for money.

Get the latest updates - follow us on our Facebook page

He said: “There is absolute unity around this chamber about the importance of bus services to our residents.

“We want to improve these whenever we can and keep costs under control. Improvement means better value for money, connecting people with jobs, getting routes we want for our residents and we need better control of the network and not be at the whim of private contractors.

“Franchising may well be the route to that if we know what it actually entails.

“But franchising is not just about politics and ideology. It’s about liability, accountability, measurement of costs, forecasts, risks, transparency.

“Decision makers should have a summary of what’s involved in this investment and not take on trust, a 700 page document with so much confusing detail.

“This is actually about getting a grip of what is involved in this massive investment. How do we monitor progress and success?”

Councillor Stephen Simkins, leader of the City of Wolverhampton Council, said: “The biggest fundamental risk is to sit on our hands and do nothing.

“After the consultation, we have to make an informed decision. And that informed decision should be that we put public transport back into the hands of the public.

“Nobody should be under the impression this will fundamentally change overnight. It is going to be difficult.

“It should be difficult because we have been hooked on the private sector for far too long.

“We have listened to them come back to us time and time again saying ‘this route’s not profitable’, hand it back. I fundamentally believe (franchising) is the right process.”

WMCA currently provides an annual subsidy of around £50 million to private operators but this has failed to stop fare increases and service reduction.

If the model is implemented, bus operators will be able to bid for contracts to run services across the region. It will cost WMCA £22.5 million over three years to move from a deregulated network to a franchise.