Transport for West Midlands (TfWM), part of the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA), has introduced the new look to spearhead the drive towards a ...
www.wmca.org.uk
Public transport in the West Midlands is to get a brand new look in what is a UK first.
West Midlands Transport (WMT) brings a single identity to bus, rail and tram services plus cycling initiatives in the region in what is the first integrated transport system outside London.
Each has its own distinctive livery - orange for trains, blue for trams, red for buses, green for bikes - centred on the distinctive WMT diamond logo.
Andy Street, left, Cllr Roger Lawrence and Laura Shoaf with a tram and bus in their new West Midlands Transport livery.
Transport for West Midlands (TfWM), part of the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA), has introduced the new look to spearhead the drive towards a comprehensive and integrated system for the region.
Mayor of the West Midlands Andy Street said: Branding is not merely dressing, it is about more people using public transport in an easy way.
Think of the iconic red London bus - it is recognised the world over and the capital is rightly proud of it.
This is our chance to inspire a similar sense of pride and identity for people in our region and the transport links that connect their lives.
For the first time we will have trains, trams, buses, and cycles with one uniting identity which is enduring and, over time, becomes something which defines the West Midlands.
We are fortunate the stars have aligned to enable us to do this in a cost effective way.
TfWM recently took over the Metro so we would have needed to rebrand this in any case.
Similarly, rebranding was part of the new rail franchise terms and the bus companies are constantly refreshing their own branding.
We will be rebranding bus stops and stations in the months and years to come as part of the normal process of replacing them, meaning while this will be gradual, it will mostly be natural
Cllr Roger Lawrence, leader of City of Wolverhampton Council and WMCA portfolio holder for transport, said: We are building an integrated transport system that will plug into HS2 and which is critical in unlocking the economic benefits for the region.
Making our transport system look and feel like a world class experience starts with giving it a unique identity that builds trust and confidence.
Rebranding of trains and stations was a contractual requirement when the West Midlands Trains franchise was awarded to operators by Abellio, which began operating local rail services carrying the West Midlands Rail logo last December.