Fears Walsall could be ‘guinea pig’ in new West Midlands bus model

The Conservative group leader in Walsall has raised concerns about a new West Midlands bus franchising system.

Councillor Adrian Andrew fears Walsall could be treated as a ‘guinea pig’ as one of the first areas set for roll out in October 2027.

The West Midlands Combined Authority briefed councillors on October 8 about the new model which will see buses in the region brought back under public control.

The chosen franchising system means bus operators will be awarded contracts and be responsible for bus routes and drivers, and will lease fleet and depots from WMCA for the duration of the contract.

WMCA will be setting the fares with the aim of providing consistency across the whole region. If contract holders are not delivering on the services, there will be penalties.

Three phases of progress have been planned, with Walsall, north Birmingham and Coventry in the first tranche to be delivered next year.

Speaking at the scrutiny overview meeting on October 8, Councillor Andrew said: “Walsall is in the first tranche, I’m a bit nervous because we could be treated as a guinea pig.

“We need to be very careful and keep a close eye on this because the rest of the West Midlands will learn from the mistakes in Walsall.”

Councillor Andrew also asked how many routes across the borough will be under threat.

When he was previously a member of the WMCA, Councillor Andrew said members were informed that 20 per cent could be at risk.

Natalie Penrose speaking on behalf of the combined authority said ‘at the moment’ none were under threat and there was ‘no intention’ to reduce the network in Walsall.

Councillor Andrew said: “Given the figure used to be that 14 million journeys come through Walsall town centre on the bus, this borough relies very, very heavily on the network. How many could be under threat under the franchising model? We were told 20 per cent at one point.”

Ms Penrose said: “At the moment, none. We’re out to tender at the moment. We haven’t taken any routes out and they’ll operate at the same level of frequency.”

Councillor Andrew said: “I’m sure the tender has gone out with 100 per cent of the routes. There is a potential that during that tender process, because of the cost effectiveness of the tender, some of the routes, might, disappear.”

Ms Penrose responded: “There is no intention to reduce the network in Walsall. We’re working really hard to make sure that doesn’t happen.”

By Rachel Alexander | Local Democracy Reporting Service