Bus services in the West Midlands will soon transition to public ownership, with Mobico, the company behind National Express, announcing the sale of its West Midlands bus business, UK Bus, to the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA).
The WMCA, which includes local councils such as Birmingham and Wolverhampton, will assume local control of these services. This move is supported by £11.5 million in government funding over the next three years. The authority plans to directly control bus services through franchising, where contractors will be paid to operate the services.
According to the prime minister's office, this shift towards greater public control is intended to give local leaders more influence over routes, branding, fares, and service standards. Prime Minister Andy Burnham stated that the decision is part of a broader devolution effort, aiming to "put power back into the hands of local communities."
The partnership between the WMCA and the government is anticipated to safeguard around 4,800 jobs. West Midlands Mayor Richard Parker emphasised that buses are a public service that should be run in the public interest, noting that people rely on them for essential travel.