West Midlands On-Demand Bus Service Sees Passenger Decline Amid Driver Shortages
Vital West Midlands bus services have witnessed a notable drop in usage in recent months, primarily attributed to ongoing driver shortages and increased road congestion. The West Midlands Bus On-Demand service, which integrates Ring and Ride and Coventry's On Demand services, recorded 54,500 journeys between October and December 2025. This figure represents a decrease of 2.6% compared to the same period in the previous year, when 55,970 trips were made.
Factors Behind the Passenger Decline
A report presented to the West Midlands Combined Authority's Transport Delivery Overview and Scrutiny Committee highlighted that reduced performance in the first two months of Q3 2025/26 was largely responsible for the decline. Driver shortages and diminished reliability from heightened congestion were cited as key contributors. Despite this, passenger satisfaction remained relatively unaffected, as the service operates on a pre-booked basis, though journey availability was lower than desired.
New Operators and Service Upgrades
In response to these challenges, new operators have been appointed to enhance the service. From December 1, 2025, two new operators were mobilized to deliver the West Midlands Bus On-Demand service. Via now manages demand-responsive transport in Birmingham, Solihull, and Coventry, while operator HATS has been awarded the contract for the Black Country Ring and Ride service. Although initial teething issues were reported, service availability has since reached 100%.
The integration of Ring and Ride and Coventry's On Demand services under the unified West Midlands Bus On-Demand brand aims to simplify and improve the network's usability. A series of upgrades have been introduced to boost efficiency and passenger experience, including:
- The deployment of a fleet of smaller, more agile vehicles.
- Enhanced accessibility, allowing wheelchair users to travel together.
- Implementation of new technology and operational changes to improve service equity.
These measures are designed to address the recent setbacks and foster a more reliable and efficient transport option for residents across the region.
