BUS West ALLIANCE Achievements 2015-2017 FEB17037 Continuously improving bus services In the West Midlands, we have a proud history of delivering better bus services through partnership.

In the region 4 in every 5 public transport trips is taken by bus, significantly more than any other mode. This equates to nearly 260 million passenger journeys each year enabling people to access jobs, education, leisure and healthcare opportunities. Passenger satisfaction is at an all- time high with 88% now satisfied with their journey

Transport Focus Bus Passenger Survey (West Midlands results)

Overall Satisfaction

85% 87% 85% 88%

Autumn Spring Autumn Spring 2015 2016 2016 2017

The formation of the West Midlands Combined Authority provides an exciting opportunity to celebrate and advance this partnership to a new level, ensuring that bus companies not only provide a network that enables excellent connectivity and supports the development of the region’s economy, but also that the local highways authorities recognise their role in supporting this by providing a road network that enables fast and punctual bus journeys.

To achieve this, the West Midlands Bus Alliance Board was established in 2015, this consists of representatives from the region’s bus operators, the Combined Authority, council highways and transportation departments, Local Enterprise Partnerships, the Safer Travel Partnership, influential councillors and Transport Focus.

In the first 2 years the West Midlands Bus Alliance has delivered some significant achievements; Tackle congestion and make bus journeys and 21 Travel DeCourcey vehicles up to Euro quicker VI standard. • 2016 - Developed the West Midlands Low Emission Bus Delivery Plan • Winner of the Passenger Transport Award • Funded a Bus Scheme Development Manager at the 2016 National Air Quality awards to lead the development and delivery of • National Express West Midlands won £3m Highway schemes to support bus services of funding from the Office of Low Emission • Opened a fully equipped Bus Alliance Office Vehicles (OLEV) in 2016 for 10 new gyrodrive Work Space at 16 Summer Lane for all Alliance hybrid and 19 fully electric buses partners • National Express West Midlands have • During 2016 working with Sandwell Council, purchased 139 new Euro VI vehicles £40,000 invested in enforcement cameras on • 57% of National Express West Midlands 1600 New Street bus lane in West Bromwich bus fleet operating to either Euro V or VI • Over £7.3 million investment for bus priority standards. schemes and traffic signals upgrades with bus • From April 2017 Minimum Euro V emission selective vehicle detection including a new standard required for all TfWM newly 2 km bus lane into Solihull Town Centre contracted services from the north. Opened in 2016 this saves bus passengers up to 8 minutes each on peak journey. Make bus travel more attractive for • Managing Network Resilience - TfWM young people have worked closely with scheme promoters, developers and the Highways Authorities to ensure that any delays are minimised and modal shift encouraged. Such schemes have • September 2017 – The 16-18 Photocard included; Paradise redevelopment, Highways scheme, which gives young people in full motorway maintenance schemes and time education discounted travel is extended City Centre public realm improvements to cover all 16-18 year olds born after 31 August • August 2017 – City Council, 1999, including apprentices and those not TfWM and National Express West Midlands in education. delivered the Network Development Plan for Birmingham City Centre to establish how the network will develop over the next 10 years in Make bus journeys better value response to changing land use, policies and Work other economic drivers. Wise

• National Express West Midlands and Diamond Improve bus emission standards have both introduced a number of local fare zones, giving cheaper travel in parts of Sandwell & Dudley, Walsall and around the Birmingham Outer Circle • 2015 – Awarded £0.5m funding from the • Discounted fares for students and NHS staff Clean Bus Technology Fund 2015, towards the on National Express West Midlands services cost of fitting innovative technology to bring between Selly Oak and Birmingham city 210 National Express West Midlands vehicles centre FEB17037

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National Express West Midlands have rolled rolled Midlands have West Express National to buses on branding route out coloured routes. their 60 of nearly the for maps coded colour produce now TfWM than £600,000 in new ticket machines, ticket in new than £600,000 West to the bringing Contactless Payment the first time. Midlands for day with cheaper introduced ticketing Mobile West Express on all National travel for tickets Midlands services bus Arriva on all available ticketing Mobile areas and Sandwell & Dudley April 2017 – Diamond Bus invested more more invested April 2017 – Diamond Bus routes 16 and 50 inside the Birmingham Inner Inner the Birmingham inside 16 and 50 routes Road Ring eligible support gives travel Workwise Network 50% off and apprentices jobseekers three up to passes for Midlands travel West Diamond Bus introduced £1 city hop fares on fares hop £1 city introduced Bus Diamond months when they start a new job. job. start a new they when months Make it easier to catch the bus catch to it easier Make • • • • services Make it easier to buy a ticket buy to it easier Make • • •