Plans for more public control over West Midlands buses to take step forward
Plans to give the public more control over West Midlands bus fares, routes and timetables are set to move a step closer this week.
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West Midlands Combined Authority members are set to discuss the introduction of a new franchising model for the region’s network at a board meeting on Friday.
Within days of being elected in May, Mayor Richard Parker said franchising was “key” for building a successful bus operation in the West Midlands.
Subsidies for buses have been in operation since deregulation but Transport for West Midlands (TfWM) said soaring costs in fuel, labour, parts and engineers had seen £75 million forked out in just a year and a half.
The authority said the funding has been necessary to stop routes being cut and fares going through the roof.
