What should our bus services be called? Mayor asks public to come up with a new name

Residents of the West Midlands are being invited to come up with suggestions for what the region’s public transport network should be called.

Richard Parker, elected mayor for the region, plans to create a new corporate image as part of a wider shake-up which will also see bus services brought under public control through a franchising scheme.

The combined authority took over the region’s biggest bus operator, National Express West Midlands, in August, in a deal that will be worth a total of £102 million.

Mr Parker said he wanted to put the public at the heart of the decision making, and invited them to come up with ideas for a new name.

He said the reorganisation presented the opportunity to create a fully integrated public transport network, bringing buses, trains and trams together under a single banner.

He said he was searching for name that reflected the West Midlands and created a distinct identity, instilling pride across the region.

The new branding, Mr Parker said, would start with buses before being expanded across the entire public transport network.

He added: “I'm taking back control of our buses so they’re affordable, reliable and offer journeys people actually need. Because the network will be publicly controlled, we want the public to help us name it.

“The West Midlands is known for its endless creativity, innovation and good humour. So I want to see your ideas, whether it’s something inspired by our history, our culture, or just puts a smile on people’s faces when they see it on the side of a double-decker.”

People can submit their ideas via the website engage.wmca.org.uk/en-GB/projects/help-name-our-transport-network,or reply on the mayor’s and and Transport for West Midlands social media channels, which will be monitored for suitable ideas. These will be collated and considered as part of a wider process to create a new identity for the transport network.

Under the new franchising model, routes, timetables and fares will be set by the mayor and the West Midlands Combined Authority. Private operators will compete for contracts to deliver reliable, efficient, and high-quality services rather than operating on a deregulated, commercially driven basis.

Once franchised, bus services operating across the West Midlands will share the same branding, colour scheme and fare structure, no matter which company is awarded the contract. These will be announced next year ahead of the launch of the first franchise services in October 2027.

In August companies were invited to bid for these first three contracts covering Coventry, north Birmingham and Walsall, with services due to launch in October 2027.

The second phase will launch in Dudley, Sandwell and Wolverhampton in 2028 and the final third phase in Solihull and south Birmingham in 2029.