West Midlands Combined Authority Transport Levy Expenditure 2020-21 The costs of running Transport for West Midlands (TfWM) form part of the combined spend of the West Midlands Combined Authority. The costs of TfWM are funded by a specific transport levy of £114.7 million: this levy is paid by each of the seven Metropolitan Councils of the West Midlands on the basis of their published population figures. The councils must take account of the cost of the levy in setting their council tax levels, after allowing for grants which they receive towards this cost, and this is why we are providing detailed information on the spend in this area. More than half of the levy funds the National Travel Concessionary Scheme for free or half fare bus, train and tram travel for those who qualify, as well as funding subsidised bus services. TfWM, part of the WMCA, is building a TfWM manages 12 bus stations and healthier, happier, better connected and provides around 12,500 passenger stops, more prosperous West Midlands. TfWM stands and shelters and many strategic is accountable for formulating transport interchanges. Multi-operator passenger strategy and policy, project delivery and information is produced for each location, incorporating strategic highways, freight, with Real Time Information (RTI) displays rail, bus, tram and rapid transit networks. at 1,343 shelters and 109 stops showing live departures. RTI is also found at all TfWM works alongside the seven local rail stations and Metro stops. Metropolitan Districts to ensure that the 2.9 million people who live and work TfWM works in partnership with in the region benefit from an effective operators to develop integrated ticketing transport system that meets the that meets customer needs. It oversees economic and environmental needs of the National Travel Concessionary the West Midlands, as well as providing Scheme for West Midlands’ residents, access to jobs, managing congestion with just over 435,000 registered card and offering seamless connectivity for holders who made nearly 53 million people and goods across the UK and journeys last year. It also subsidises overseas markets. socially necessary bus services at a cost of £10.7 million. It is responsible for the delivery of public transport and helps deliver 327 million Swift, which is the brand used for passenger journeys per annum in the TfWM’s transport smartcard now region. TfWM also covers the delivery has 106,000 registered card holders of Swift smart ticketing, promotion of undertaking more than 4.8 million walking and cycling, the use of real time journeys per annum in the West journey information for journey planning Midlands, making it the largest and explores the use of new technologies. smartcard scheme outside of London. TfWM provides over 9,000 Park and Despite these challenges, establishment Ride spaces at rail and rapid transit stops of the WMCA has provided us with across the region. It also works with a broad array of opportunities. operators to provide other improvements The Future Mobility Zone and the such as through the West Midlands Bus implementation of 5G offers the West Alliance and West Midlands Grand Rail Midlands the opportunity to innovate collaboration. As owners of the West and develop tangible transport solutions. Midlands Metro, TfWM also promotes We are at the heart of research and and develops Line One and its planned development of new approaches extensions and patronage on this mode to mobility, connectivity and place continues to increase and currently making and we aim to embed our stands at 7.9 million passengers, in transport activity into the wider WMCA comparison to 7.1 million the previous requirements, to fully integrate with year; an increase of 11.3%. infrastructure investment programmes to build stronger, inclusive communities. Ring and Ride (primarily funded by TfWM) is the main demand-responsive Approximately half of the WMCA’s transport service for people in the West planned capital investment consists Midlands with limited mobility. A total of of transport expenditure. TfWM’s 112 buses provide around 671,000 trips a Investment Programme will consist year for its 13,000 registered users. mostly of investment in Metro and Sprint bus rapid transit networks as well as As a forward-looking region, we are at local rail enhancements with seven new a pivotal time as we undergo economic and improved stations across the region growth faster than any other region being planned. outside of London. The recently re- confirmed HS2 route – connecting The Transforming Cities Fund Birmingham to London, with the first Programme will also provide a package trains operating as earlier as 2028 would of transport measures covering the act as a catalyst for economic growth. delivery of the Wednesbury Brierley We are also embarking on a series of Hill Metro extension, Birchley Island instrumental events such as the Coventry improvements, a new Interchange for City of Culture 2021 and Birmingham Dudley, various bus priority measures 2022 Commonwealth Games. Yet at the and a region-wide cycling programme. same time, we must acknowledge the Additionally, investment in 5G, problems we face as a region where land remediation and the Collective air pollution shortens average life Investment Fund will support expectancy and is exacerbated by traffic several transport schemes. congestion which is costing our economy £1 billion per year. There are also many people socially excluded, which further limits their opportunities. Such investment will transform connectivity across the region and over the next decade, there will be an integrated metropolitan rail and rapid transit network with enhanced suburban rail services; through new stations and five Metro light rail extensions. During this period of change, TfWM will ensure the West Midlands keeps moving through improved monitoring and travel demand management techniques. In the past year, TfWM has achieved key milestones towards delivering a healthier, happier, better connected and more prosperous West Midlands: Bus • The West Midlands Bus Alliance; • Upgraded bus shelters, including continues delivering on its 50 rebranding 1,000 existing shelters and deliverables for improving bus adding over 120 new ones. operations, reducing fares and • Ensured the new provider for the improving passenger satisfaction. Ring and Ride service, West Midlands • Established a Network Performance Accessible Transport (a wholly owned Board through the West Midlands Bus subsidiary of National Express West Alliance, to monitor patronage, journey Midlands) and its transition has not speeds and reliability. impacted on service provision and its users. • Continued the roll out of 140 new zero emission buses and retrofitted 515 • Improved Walsall bus station and buses to improve air quality. developed plans for a new Dudley bus and Metro interchange. • Sprint - our bus based rapid transit mode has progressed its delivery • Developed initiatives to enhance programme for new routes and Coventry’s bus offer to support the agreed an operating model. City of Culture 2021. • Approved plans to deliver the A34 • Used powers from the Bus Services Act, and A45 Sprint schemes. to support an integrated network and optimised opportunities for bus growth. • Secured a £28.5 million investment package with partners to deliver an • Effectively managed the networks enhanced bus network, covering infrastructure during major events, prioritised cross city bus routes across including Velo 2019 and the Cricket Birmingham and the Black Country. World Cup and delivered the largest Boxing Day bus service outside London. Rail • The West Midlands Grand Rail • In partnership with Midlands Collaboration (GRC) through the Connect, continued development West Midlands Rail Executive was of the Midlands Rail Hub and HS2 launched; aiming to tackle train service Connectivity Package, to maximise the performance, simplify fare structures, benefits of HS2 in the West Midlands. enhance the quality of trains and • Ongoing delivery of the West Midlands stations and improve reliability. Rail Programme of investment • Secured outline business case schemes to support the Birmingham approvals and planning permission for 2022 Commonwealth Games and the new stations including Kings Heath wider economic objectives of WMCA. and Hazelwell. • Undertook feasibility studies to • Started construction of Longbridge’s support in the delivery of the West new 629 strategic multi-storey Park Midlands Rail Investment Strategy. and Ride facility as well as continued • Established the West Midlands development for future Park and Stations Alliance. Ride expansions. • Through the West Midlands Trains franchise, delivered network rebranding, timetable enhancements, station improvements and other benefits for passengers. Metro • Commenced passenger services on the • Commenced retrofitting of batteries Centenary Square Metro extension. to the existing trams for the Centenary Square and Wolverhampton • Continued with delivery of the Metro extensions. Edgbaston extension including the closure of the Five Ways tunnels • Completed the rebranding of the tram and Broad Street. fleet and continued to improve the customer experience. • Continued delivery of the Wolverhampton city centre Metro • Grew patronage on the West Midlands extension. Metro by 11.3%. • Commenced construction work • Opened a new 196 space Park and Ride on the Wednesbury Brierley Hill site on Metro Line One at Bradley Lane Metro extension. in Walsall. • Ordered 21 new 3rd Generation Urbos