In a decisive move to safeguard the region’s public transport network, Richard Parker, Mayor of the West Midlands, has confirmed the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) Board’s approval to acquire National Express’s regional bus operations.
The managed acquisition follows an announcement by Mobico Group—parent company to National Express—confirming its intention to de-risk its bus portfolio. With Mobico stepping back, the WMCA’s intervention prevents a significant threat to the largest segment of the region’s public transport infrastructure and paves the way for a major transition in how local services are run.
Given the sheer scale of the National Express footprint in the region, a destabilised network was not an option. Buses currently account for roughly 80% of all public transport journeys in the West Midlands, carrying approximately 4.6 million trips every single week.
To maintain continuity, the WMCA expects the acquisition to be completed by autumn, subject to final due diligence. During both the legal and operational handover, it is strictly business as usual. Passengers have been advised they do not need to do anything differently, as services, tickets, and timetables will continue without disruption.
To manage the transition, a new entity; West Midlands Bus Limited has been established to hold the bus operations. Rather than being absorbed directly into the local authority, this new company will operate as an arm’s-length subsidiary of the WMCA, complete with its own governance and operational management.
The WMCA has confirmed it will work closely with the subsidiary, alongside trade unions, local authorities, and staff, to minimise passenger disruption and keep the network stable.
Financially, the acquisition package is primarily funded by the WMCA through pre-existing transport investment plans, bolstered by £11.5 million in Government support allocated specifically for transaction-related costs. Crucially for the workforce, staff pension arrangements remain entirely unaffected by the deal.
Ultimately, this acquisition acts as a vital bridge to the region’s long-term transport vision. Mayor Parker has reaffirmed his commitment to bus franchising, a model endorsed by the WMCA Board in May 2025, which promises to deliver greater public control over routes, timetables, fares, and service standards.
The wheels are already in motion. On Monday, 17 August, the WMCA officially triggered the formal procurement phase by issuing the Invitation to Tender for the first tranche of the West Midlands Bus Franchising programme.
Under the new model, operators will run services under direct contract to the WMCA, with the first contracts set to be awarded from 2027 onwards. West Midlands Bus Limited will not bid for any of these franchised routes; its sole purpose is to maintain operational stability and support the region as it transitions to a more accountable, joined-up bus network.
