The West Midlands is preparing to take a significant step in overhauling its bus network as it moves from a private operator-based system to public ownership. This transition intends to bring greater control over fares, routes, and timetables under Transport for West Midlands.
Later this month, the region will open invitations to tender for the first tranche of the franchised bus network. This initial phase will cover services in North and East Birmingham, Coventry, and Walsall. The tender process will remain open for approximately four months, with operations expected to commence by late 2027.
Following the first tranche, Tranche Two, encompassing Dudley, Sandwell, and Wolverhampton, is scheduled to go live in 2028, while Tranche Three, covering Solihull and the southern and western parts of Birmingham, will transition in 2029.
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This move towards franchising was championed by West Midlands Mayor Richard Parker upon his election in 2024. He expressed that shifting away from the deregulated model would allow the region to better address public transport issues by increasing oversight.
Currently, the West Midlands Combined Authority provides around £50 million in annual subsidies to private bus operators. Despite this, fare increases and service reductions have continued, prompting public dissatisfaction. A 2025 public consultation revealed approximately 75 per cent support for introducing a franchised bus system.
The plan received formal approval from Mayor Parker and the Combined Authority Board in May 2026. Earlier this year, the authority also engaged with potential bus operators at a pre-market event, signalling preparation for the upcoming franchise arrangements.
Implementation will involve acquiring depots and fleets throughout the region, as well as establishing systems to manage contracts and oversee operator performance effectively.
Mayor Parker commented, “We are franchising the bus network out of necessity. The private sector operator has failed this region. They benefit from tens of millions of pounds through subsidies each year while services decline rather than improve.”
He continued, “Throughout my campaign, I heard from communities and business groups that improving the bus network was a top priority. For instance, the Chamber of Commerce in Solihull identified franchising the buses as essential. There are jobs available in prosperous parts of Solihull, such as the town centre, the airport, JLR and southern borough areas, but many young people in northern Solihull cannot access them due to inadequate bus timetables and routes.”
“The shortcomings of our bus network undermine our broader goals of increasing opportunity and economic development. Franchising allows us the opportunity to redesign the network to meet regional needs effectively, ensuring timetables align with shift patterns and improving connectivity. That is why we are pursuing this change,” he concluded.
This transition represents a crucial effort by West Midlands authorities to enhance public transport accessibility and reliability across the region in the coming years.