Black Country and Shropshire set for bus service improvements with government funding
£3 million investment to help boost local bus networks
The government has pledged a £3 million investment to enhance bus services across six mayoral authorities in England, with positive effects expected for the Black Country and Shropshire regions.
This funding initiative aims to assist areas in transitioning to a franchised bus model, making transport services more accessible and reliable for daily commuters in these regions.
Local authorities have been using government funds to offer cheaper fares, new bus routes, and improved services, bringing tangible benefits to bus passengers in England.
The financial boost, announced on 13th April 2026, will support six authorities, including the West Midlands Combined Authority, which encompasses the Black Country, as well as the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority, among others.
Mayor of the West Midlands, Richard Parker said this:
“Under franchising, for the first time we’ll set the timetables, design the network, and be able to set fares. I can’t set fares currently, that isn’t within my remit. But as we move through franchising, we’ve committed to keeping fares as low as possible.
We’ll do that by reinvesting any surpluses back into the network to improve services. Over the next 6 to 12 months, we’ll be developing our fares policy. The aim is to invest in the bus network, improve reliability, encourage more people to use buses, and keep fares as low as possible.”
The Local Authority Bus Grant, amounting to over £3 billion between 2026 and 2029, empowers local leaders to tailor transport networks, making them more affordable, frequent, and better connected for communities in Shropshire and beyond.
A recent innovative change includes Norfolk's launch of new bus services linking Great Yarmouth and Caister to Norwich, aiding rural villages that lacked direct routes into the city.
Barnsley's initiative provides free travel to individuals under 18 for the next two years as part of their daily school or college commute.
Simon Lightwood, Roads and Buses Minister, highlighted the excitement of witnessing new services and discounted ticket offers supported by government funding.
Jason Prince from the Urban Transport Group heralded the move as transformative for bus reforms, promising significant advantages for local passengers and communities.
Lydia Horbury, CEO of Bus Users UK, described buses as lifelines and celebrated the investment for contributing to a more integrated and affordable transport system that serves daily users effectively.
As local authorities in the Black Country and Shropshire prepare to leverage this investment, residents can look forward to enhanced transport services that address connectivity and accessibility challenges.