Have your say on how buses are run in the West Midlands. From 6 January to 30 March, you can have your say on how the West Midlands bus network is operated by participating in a public consultation.
We understand that many residents would like better bus services. You, the people of the West Midlands, deserve a safe, efficient and reliable bus service.
Recently we undertook a thorough assessment of the bus network, which proposed how bringing the network into public control would improve services for passengers.
Now we want to hear your thoughts on this.
Bus Reform Consultation – Transport for West Midlands
About the franchising assessment
The full franchising assessment is broken down into 5 cases:Â (“We” = West Midlands Combined Authority, for clarification)
Strategic Case
The strategic case details why we believe bringing the network into public control would benefit the passenger. Through bringing buses into public control we aim to:
- improve customer service
- provide simple and affordable fares
- reduce carbon emissions
- ensure services are financially stable for the long-term
- enable the WMCA to secure ambitious improvements in the future
Economic Case
The economic case compares the potential costs of the different options we have to deliver the bus network.
This includes weighing up the potential costs and the benefits of implementing them.
Management Case
The management case sets out how the different options for running the network would be implemented and managed.
This includes deciding who employs the staff and who looks after and maintains bus stations and depots.
Financial Case
Taking the bus network into public control would mean we have more control over how public money is spent.
The financial case shows how we plan to pay and cover the costs of running the biggest bus network in the country outside of London.
Commercial Case
The commercial case explores how we would implement bus reform to best meet the needs of the passenger and ourselves.
This includes ensuring strong competition for contracts and making sure the network runs smoothly during any transitional periods.
About the consultation
The consultation consists of two questionnaires, a ‘short’ and a ‘long’ version.
Bus users and the general public only need to complete the short questionnaire, the long one is intended for bus operators and local authorities.
Associated documents can be found on the Bus Reform Consultation page on the TfWM website.
In order to complete the short questionnaire, I recommend that bus users at least read through the West Midlands Buses Franchising Consultation Executive Summary document along with the General Franchising FAQs document, as some of the other documents are a lot more detailed and may be a bit heavy-going for many people.
How to take part
You can complete the questionnaire(s) online at the Commonplace website
Alternatively you can download the Short Questionnaire PDF, and send the completed document by post or email to TfWM.
All submissions must be received by 30th March 2025, at which point the consultation will close.
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