Satellite system to pinpoint buses

Buses throughout the West Midlands are to be fitted with new satellite tracking equipment so that their exact whereabouts can be pinpointed.

The move, which will cost millions of pounds, comes amid rising attacks on drivers in the region.

All 1,600 buses in the National Express West Midlands fleet are to be upgraded with the system within the next 12 months.

It will allow control room staff to pinpoint the location of a bus if it breaks down or if the driver needs to call for emergency assistance.

Police who are called in the event of an attack on a driver can be given exact co-ordinates of the bus.

And, if a bus breaks down, action can be taken sooner to repair and provide a replacement service. The steps are part of a wider upgrade announced by National Express which includes the rebranding of buses that currently carry the Travel West Midlands name.

There have been several attacks on drivers in the region in the past 12 months, and stones thrown at buses cost the company £500,000 a year in repairs.

The company warned earlier this year that a driver could be killed in such an incident.

Alex Perry, Midlands director for National Express, said: "We are renewing our radio system across the whole of our bus fleet.

"We will have instant geographic recognition.

"It will highlight where our vehicles are, 24 hours a day.

"This information can be transferred via our control room to other outside organisations like the police if there is a requirement," Mr Perry added.

"This will be safer for drivers as any use of the radio will automatically recognise the location of the bus.

"It will also make for better management of the fleet, providing a more efficient bus service."

National Express West Midlands is the new name for Travel West Midlands, which is having its logos and brand changed from this month.