What the public takeover of Birmingham's buses means

The region's combined authority is preparing to take over the local bus business of National Express, which runs most of the region's buses, with the deal expected to be completed this autumn.

The authority's board approved the acquisition in August. The regional Mayor, Richard Parker, said he had "acted to protect passengers and keep buses running".

Why it matters

The company operates around 94 per cent of bus journeys in the region. It employs about 4,800 staff and runs around 1,300 buses from nine depots. Buses account for around 80 per cent of public transport journeys in the region, with about 4.6 million trips every week.

What changes for passengers

For now, nothing. The authority has said: "Services, tickets and timetables will continue as normal during the legal and operational handover." Swift cards, passes and existing tickets will still be valid.

The company will be run as an arm's length subsidiary of the combined authority, with its own governance and management.

How it is being paid for

The Government has provided 11.5 million pounds to help with the costs of the transaction.

Franchising is coming

The takeover sits alongside plans to bring buses under public control through franchising, which will let the authority decide routes, fares and timetables and contract operators to run them.

The first franchised services will cover Coventry, North Birmingham and Walsall, with contracts due to be awarded early next year and services starting in October 2027. Dudley, Sandwell and Wolverhampton will follow in 2028, with Solihull and South Birmingham in 2029.

Keeping buses running

The authority described the takeover as a managed acquisition "to protect passengers, staff, services, depots, fleet and the wider bus network" during the move to franchising.