The government has unveiled a transformative £264.1 million funding package destined for bus services across the West Midlands. Announced on 5 December 2025, this multi-year investment is designed to make bus travel faster, cheaper, and more reliable for millions of passengers.
A Multi-Million Pound Plan for Transformation
This substantial financial boost provides local authorities with the long-term certainty needed to plan and implement significant improvements. The core promise is a revolution in local bus services and infrastructure, directly tackling issues of affordability and reliability. Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander emphasised that better buses are crucial for easing the cost of living, enabling better access to employment, healthcare, and social opportunities.
Local Power to Decide on Improvements
A key feature of the funding is that local authorities will have the discretion to decide how best to spend the money to meet their communities' specific needs. This local control has been strengthened by the Bus Services Act, which became law in October 2025. The Act grants councils greater power to manage services, ensuring they are run for public benefit and that socially necessary routes are protected, rather than purely for commercial profit.
Potential schemes that could be introduced include:
- Substantially lower bus fares.
- Increased frequency of services on key routes.
- Infrastructure upgrades to improve speed and reliability.
Part of a Broader National Transport Strategy
This regional investment is a cornerstone of the government's wider national plan to create cheaper and more dependable public transport. It aligns with other recent measures, such as the landmark freeze on rail fares. The funding is expected to deliver a dual benefit: providing immediate cost-of-living relief for working people while also stimulating long-term economic growth across the West Midlands region by improving connectivity.
With the funding now secured, local leaders are tasked with developing detailed plans to ensure this multi-million pound cash injection translates into tangible improvements for every bus passenger.
