West Midlands transport bosses were today (Monday 20 March) outlining their plans for tackling congestion to the Conservative Shadow Transport Secretary, Chris Grayling MP.

They are aiming to win support for an ambitious programme of improvements to bus and rail services, expansion of the Midland Metro and cutting congestion on the roads.

“We need to make more national politicians aware of the issues we face here in the West Midlands,” says Cllr Gary Clarke, chairman of the region’s Passenger Transport Authority.

He will be pointing out that the West Midlands has the busiest public transport network outside London and has seen 50 per cent growth in rail passengers.  The number of people using the bus has been falling however, and councillors are looking for political support to make bus companies deliver a better service for passengers.

“The public transport system needs to be improved to be able to offer the motorist an attractive choice and help us all look after the environment,” adds Cllr Clarke.  “We are seeking to develop a more integrated public transport network with high quality services underpinned by better information, simpler ticketing, and improved personal security.”

Councillors in the West Midlands have established a cross-party consensus to drive the public transport agenda, with a Conservative-Labour coalition running the PTA.

“Issues as important as this should not be a political football,” comments the Authority’s Labour vice-chair Cllr Paul Allen.