Regional transport bosses have agreed to continue funding bus services regarded as socially necessary as part of a review of the region’s network.

Against a backdrop of unprecedented cost pressures on bus operators across the UK as a result of rising fuel costs and reduced passenger numbers following the Covid 19 pandemic, Transport for West Midland’s (TfWM) Transport Delivery Committee has agreed to continue to fund at least 78 of 114 bus service contracts that are regarded as socially necessary.

This has been made possible after the committee agreed to relax value for money criteria and provide an £800,000 increase in the 2023/24 annual subsidy – taking the total to £16.3 million.