West Midlands bus depots to be bought in 'major overhaul'
A major overhaul of the West Midlands’ bus network is set to move a step closer with the purchase of depots across the region.
Members of the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) Board will meet next week to discuss bus depot acquisition and are expected to agree to move forward with the plan.
The costs of acquiring bus depots will be discussed in private but a report to the board said the business case showed a positive cost to benefit ratio for progressing the plan.
The strategy is part of West Midlands Mayor Richard Parker’s bid to bring buses back under public control through a franchising model.
Mr Parker has previously described the existing bus network as ‘failing’ and said franchising would give people greater control over fares, timetables and routes.
Owning bus depots is seen as a key component of franchising with bosses saying it will help increase competition in a market dominated by one operator.
WMCA already owns the the Walsall depot in Carl Street.
The other depots listed for purchase are:
Perry Barr depot in Aston Lane
Cox Street depot in Ford Street, Coventry
Wolverhampton depot in Park Lane
Pensnett depot in Second Avenue
West Bromwich depot in Oak Lane
Acocks Green depot in Fox Hollies Road
Birmingham Central depot in Liverpool Street
Yardley Wood depot in Yardley Wood Road
The Board report says Birmingham Central depot has a short-term lease life remaining and mitigation plans were in place, which could include building a new depot in east Birmingham.
The report said: “On the 9 May 2025, the West Midlands Combined Authority Board agreed that it would take back control of local bus services through the introduction of a bus franchising model.
“This would enable the WMCA to set the quality of services, routes operated, timetables and fares for all bus services across the region.
“To support this decision, a Full Franchising Assessment (FFA) showed that moving to a bus franchising model would be the most efficient way to deliver bus services in the West Midlands with more miles of service operation available for every pound of public money spent when compared to the alternative models assessed.
“The FFA showed that a large part of the efficiencies identified will be generated due to the introduction of market competition via a bid for franchise service contracts.
“The FFA set out that the WMCA should take ownership of the depots in the region.
“Without owning depots, the region will miss out on a significant share of the benefits identified within the FFA.”
The first franchised bus services are expected to start rolling out in late 2027 with the whole process due to be completed in 2029.
A series of contracts to run services will be awarded to private bus operators to run them.
