General · 18 August 2026

West Midlands takes control of bus routes after £11.5m government deal

The agreement involves £11.5m in state funding, stepping in because the parent company of operator National Express plans to leave the market. Prime minister Andy Burnham says the rescue will save thousands of jobs, while local leaders eventually hope to franchise routes to private contractors. Shadow transport secretary Richard Holden criticised the plan, arguing it shifts about £100m in liabilities onto taxpayers.

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