Mayor backs smaller bus companies in latest step to bring network under public control

Richard Parker, Mayor of the West Midlands, today invited small and local bus operators to bid for individual bus routes as the region takes its next step towards bringing the network back under public control.

To enable smaller bus companies to compete alongside big providers, Transport for West Midlands (TfWM) has designed a series of single-route franchise opportunities.

This allows smaller businesses, which may lack the scale to bid for bigger franchises, to secure a foothold in the market and grow.

Companies are being asked to bid for seven bundled contracts covering 20 selected routes across north Birmingham and Walsall.

The Mayor said: “We have brilliant, independent bus operators across the West Midlands who know our communities well, but they've often been squeezed out by larger companies.

“By creating single-route contracts, we’re giving local businesses the chance to win, grow, and play a part in delivering a public transport system our region can be proud of.

"Bringing our buses back under public control is all about delivering better routes, affordable fares, and reliable timetables while creating a fairer and stronger economy, especially for the thousands of people who rely on buses for their daily journeys.”

Under the new franchising model, routes, timetables and fares will be set by the Mayor and the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA), making the network directly accountable to the public. Private operators will compete for contracts to deliver reliable, efficient, and high-quality services rather than operating on a deregulated, commercially driven basis.

Once franchising is introduced every bus operating across the West Midlands will share the same branding, colour scheme and fare structure, no matter which company is awarded the contract.

The franchising process will see three major geographical contracts awarded. In August companies were invited to bid for the first of these covering Coventry, north Birmingham and Walsall, with services due to launch in October 2027.

The second phase will launch in Dudley, Sandwell and Wolverhampton in 2028 and the final third phase in Solihull and south Birmingham in 2029.

To find out more and comment on the plans for the future of bus services visit the Your Bus, Your Say campaign website:  Shaping what comes next for buses | West Midlands Voice

TfWM has also launched a consultation for the bus industry and stakeholders to make sure proposed changes to the West Midlands Bus Franchising Scheme and Service Permits framework are clear, fair and effective.  The consultation is available on the TfWM consultation website and runs until runs until the end of November.