Story perspectives

WMCA to complete West Midlands Bus acquisition by autumn

8/18/2026

Summary

Story summary

WMCA says its acquisition of West Midlands Bus Limited will close by autumn.
The board approved the purchase to protect passengers, maintain services and keep staff pensions unchanged.
Services and timetables will continue unchanged during the handover, requiring no action from passengers.
The board reaffirmed the Mayor’s May 2025 decision to franchise the bus network and, on 17 August, issued an Invitation to Tender for the Midlands Bus Franchising tranche.

History

Historical Context

London kept its bus routes tendered after the 1997 Labour decision and the 1999 Greater London Authority Act placed oversight with Transport for London. That regulated framework later inspired other regions; in 2025 the West Midlands Combined Authority approved buying West Midlands Bus Limited to extend the franchising model beyond London.

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Story summary

WMCA says its acquisition of West Midlands Bus Limited will close by autumn.
The board approved the purchase to protect passengers, maintain services and keep staff pensions unchanged.
Services and timetables will continue unchanged during the handover, requiring no action from passengers.
The board reaffirmed the Mayor’s May 2025 decision to franchise the bus network and, on 17 August, issued an Invitation to Tender for the Midlands Bus Franchising tranche.

1 / 2