Have your say on how buses are run in the West Midlands
What’s happening?
From 6 January to 30 March, you can have your say on how the West Midlands bus network is operated.
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.
Complete the consultation surveyPlease note you will be taken to an external website called commonplace to complete this survey.
About the consultation
You will have the option of completing 2 surveys:
A short survey
- This contains 9 questions.
- You should use the Executive Summary to support with answering these questions.
- This survey is recommended for bus users and the general public, however anyone can answer either survey.
A long survey
- This contains 43 questions.
- You should use the full consultation document to support with answering these questions.
- This survey is recommended for statutory consultees, such as bus operators or local authorities. However, anyone can answer either survey.
You are only required to complete one of the surveys.
About the franchising assessment
The full franchising assessment is broken down into 5 cases:
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:
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.
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.
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.
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.
Contact busreform@tfwm.org.uk for any questions or to request documents in different formats.
Supporting documents
Changes made to this page
- 6 January 2025 - page published