Bus depots to be bought by WMCA
The plans will be discussed at a meeting this week
A major overhaul of the West Midlands’ bus network is set to move a step closer this week.
The board of the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) are expected to agree to proceed with plans to buy the bus depots around the region.
This would include the ones in Wolverhampton and West Bromwich.
The costs of acquiring bus depots will be discussed in private but a report to the board said the business case showed a positive cost to benefit ratio for progressing the plan.
The strategy is part of West Midlands Mayor Richard Parker’s bid to bring buses back under public control through a franchising model.
Mr Parker has previously described the existing bus network as ‘failing’ and said franchising would give people greater control over fares, timetables and routes.
Owning bus depots is seen as a key component of franchising with bosses saying it will help increase competition in a market dominated by one operator.
WMCA already owns the the Walsall depot in Carl Street.