Transport leaders in the West Midlands have taken a decisive step in their ambitious plan to bring the region's bus network back under public control.
Board Approves Fleet Acquisition Plan
Members of the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) Board have approved a recommendation to own or directly lease all bus vehicles. This decision, made on Friday, 17 January 2026, is a core part of the ongoing shift from a privately-operated system to a public franchising model.
The move includes the purchase of operator National Express's existing fleet of diesel and electric buses. The exact cost was not disclosed in the public meeting due to commercial sensitivities. A report to the board indicated that approximately one-third of the acquired stock will be electric vehicles, with the WMCA also taking over the associated electric bus contract.
Condition of Fleet and Future Steps
However, the authority's report revealed some concerns. A previous franchising assessment had expected National Express to have purchased more electric vehicles by this point. It also noted that a number of diesel buses are older than anticipated, having not been replaced.
A full condition assessment will be carried out on each vehicle before the purchase is finalised. Should a shortfall in operational buses emerge, the WMCA plans to either bring forward the purchase of new vehicles or arrange for operators to provide their own on a short-term basis.
Franchising Aims for Public Benefit
This fleet acquisition follows last year's landmark decision to press ahead with the franchising model. The authority has also approved plans to purchase bus depots across the region.
West Midlands Mayor Richard Parker stated that franchising will return control over fares, timetables, and routes to the public. At the meeting, he said: "This is critical to the continuing work on franchising that we've approved previously at Board. It is the right thing to do but we also need to do it the right way too."
Sandeep Shingadia, interim Executive Director for Transport for West Midlands, explained the strategic rationale. "The full franchising assessment recommended West Midlands Combined Authority owns the bus fleet," he said. "It removes a known barrier to entry and therefore increases competition for franchise contracts in the future." He added that the WMCA's access to cheaper borrowing makes the long-term cost of fleet acquisition significantly lower.
This development marks a pivotal phase in overhauling the West Midlands bus network, aiming to create a more integrated and publicly accountable transport system for the region.
