TfWM bus franchising

[TheNerdCharlie]

Now that TfWM have confirmed that the West Midlands will become the next UK area to have a franchised bus service by 2027.
It will be interesting to see their plans and who runs for which tenders especially as NX (National Express West Midlands) have had such a majority in the operation of services recently.

I imagine that they will continue to hold onto most of the services but hopefully Diamond and other smaller operators will continue to be able to operate too.

 

[Volvodart]

Now that TfWM have confirmed that the West Midlands will become the next UK area to have a franchised bus service by 2027.
It will be interesting to see their plans and who runs for which tenders especially as NX (National Express West Midlands) have had such a majority in the operation of services recently.

I imagine that they will continue to hold onto most of the services but hopefully Diamond and other smaller operators will continue to be able to operate too.

It is partly answered here:-

Revolution in region’s bus services promised after Mayor signs order to take back control

Landmark decision kickstarts the transition to franchised services, replacing the current private operator-led network

www.wmca.org.uk

There are expected to be nine local area franchises with three rolled out each year from 2027-2029, plus a number of smaller single route contracts to encourage smaller bus operators to bid.

 

[Mollman]

Now that TfWM have confirmed that the West Midlands will become the next UK area to have a franchised bus service by 2027.
It will be interesting to see their plans and who runs for which tenders especially as NX (National Express West Midlands) have had such a majority in the operation of services recently.

I imagine that they will continue to hold onto most of the services but hopefully Diamond and other smaller operators will continue to be able to operate too.

Remember, unless they use the direct award function available in the forthcoming Bus Services Act 2025, then it will be subject to the public procurement process. As seen in Manchester it doesn't guarantee success for the existing operators.

 

[Djgr]

Now that TfWM have confirmed that the West Midlands will become the next UK area to have a franchised bus service by 2027.
It will be interesting to see their plans and who runs for which tenders especially as NX (National Express West Midlands) have had such a majority in the operation of services recently.

I imagine that they will continue to hold onto most of the services but hopefully Diamond and other smaller operators will continue to be able to operate too.

I think Liverpool City Region is the next UK area.

 

[Cowley]

Thread reopened for @Edvid to update

 

[Edvid]

Thank you Cowley

The WMCA recently decided to acquire existing bus fleets from the operators, starting (naturally) with NXWM. The decisions made in the 16 January Board meeting were as follows:

(1) The WMCA owning or directly leasing the fleet required to deliver franchising large lots as per the approach recommended in the Full Franchise Assessment was approved

(2) The acquisition of existing diesel fleet was approved.

(3) The funding approach was endorsed, subject to business case and the completion of the Rosewell Review, that included the use of City Region Sustainable Transport Settlement / Transforming City Regions funding to cover the cost of acquiring diesel fleet and ringfencing any underspend for wider investment in new fleet.

(4) It was agreed that any underspend on current zero emission capital projects in the transport portfolio was ringfenced, where terms allowed, for investment in new electric fleet, helping to bridge the gap between the costs set out in the Full Franchise Assessment and the budget required.

(5) Subject to business case including a value for money assessment, the transfer of National Express’ electric bus contract to the WMCA was endorsed.

(6) In line with the approved Local Transport Plan target to electrify the bus fleet by 2036, the WMCA’s aim that any new buses should be zero emission was endorsed, but it was also acknowledged that, for practical purposes, a small number of diesel vehicles might need to be purchased during progress towards the target of full electrification.

(7) A five-year fleet renewal investment was endorsed, subject to business case, to maintain a bus lifecycle that was financially and operationally efficient, using borrowing against the fare box to cover the costs in the absence of further available grant funding.

(8) Approval of the fleet programme business case was delegated to the Interim Executive Director of Transport for West Midlands, in consultation with the Section 73 Officer and Monitoring Officer, with the full business case(s) being prepared for presentation and agreement of the WMCA Board in summer 2026.

More details are available in agenda item 7 (Strategic Fleet Report).