Plans for a major transformation of how buses are run in the West Midlands are to be put to the public for their views. The region’s Mayor Richard Parker formally launched a consultation on his proposal to introduce a new franchise model for the region on Monday (January 6).
Mr Parker said moving from the current private operator-led, deregulated system would give Transport for West Midlands more control over fares, routes and timetables. West Midlands Combined Authority (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. Mr Parker said 80 per cent of all public transport users in the West Midlands are bus passengers.
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The consultation will be held over the next three months with thousands of people expected to be canvassed to give their views. This will take place through an online consultation, peer to peer researchers speaking to certain groups, school and college tool-kits for 16-19-year-olds, public events, street surveys and direct engagement with bus operators and statutory consultees.
In December, members of the WMCA board agreed to move to this consultation phase for bus franchising. But a number of members said that while they agree the current system needs reforming, they wanted to understand all the risks associated with the franchise model.
In response, Mr Parker said: “This is one service that impacts every ward and every constituency and every council. We’re only doing this for one reason and that is to improve services to our residents and the connectivity they can benefit from.
“Eighty per cent of those who use public transport use the bus network and the bus network is failing currently too many of people. There are many hurdles we need to jump yet and this is the start of the process and not the finish.”
People will be able to take part in the online consultation by visiting the Transport for West Midlands website.