'Bus Revolution' will boost plans for travel network in West Midlands, says Mayor
Bus networks were de-regulated in the 1980s - but that's about to change.
The Mayor of the West Midlands believes the Government’s ‘bus revolution’ will help speed up his plans to shake up the region’s network.
On Monday (September 9), Labour unveiled its plans to give all authorities across England the statutory right to own and control bus services and simplify, speed up and reduce the cost of the franchising process.
Outside of London, bus networks were deregulated in the 1980s with only limited powers subsequently given back to metro mayors.
The Labour West Midlands Mayor Richard Parker announced his plans to introduce a franchise model to the bus network in the region soon after he was elected in May.
And he hailed the new bus bill announced by Transport Secretary Louise Haigh, saying it will help deliver his proposals more quickly and for less cost.
He said: “The new powers for local authorities to control bus services are a big step forward.
“This is why I’ve started the process to bring West Midlands buses under public control. We need a plan that delivers reliable and affordable services and protects vital routes.
“This bill will help speed that process up and make it cheaper to do.”
Transport for West Midlands is currently carrying out audit on options for franchising before going to public consultation.
Mr Parker said an overhaul of the network was needed to ensure an affordable, accessible and reliable network for people across the West Midlands.
A total of 232 million journeys a year are made by buses in the West Midlands while tens of thousands use the services every day.
WMCA said it pays around £50 million a year in additional subsidies to private operators on top of more than £100 million a year they and the Government already provide to support some bus services, £2 fares and other concessions.
But Mr Parker said the extra cash has not prevented fares rising and some services being cut.
The latest fare hike was announced in June with day and season ticket prices going up by an average of six per cent.