A search has been launched to fill one of the county’s top transport jobs in local government.

The post of chief executive for Centro-PTA is advertised this weekend.  It is a new role created following the departure of Rob Donald, who held the job of director general for the West Midlands body for 11 years, and the ‘merger’ of the policy-making Passenger Transport Authority with its executive Centro.

“This job will be crucial for the future of the West Midlands as we face growing levels of congestion. We need someone to help us deliver better services for millions of existing passengers and to attract even more people to using the bus, train and tram in our three cities and four metropolitan boroughs,” says Centro-PTA chairman Cllr Gary Clarke.

He says better public transport is key to supporting regional economic growth, tackling inequality and caring for the environment.

The West Midlands has both the highest levels of road congestion and the busiest public transport network outside London.  Already in Birmingham’s rush hour more commuters travel by bus, train and Midland Metro than use the car, but politicians want much more to be done.

A recruitment advert in the Sunday Times calls for someone with strong and visionary leadership who can build effective partnerships and manage complex public services in a political environment.

“Centro-PTA is the biggest transport authority of its kind,” comments Cllr Clarke.  “We have an annual budget of over £200m, plans to expand the Midland Metro and regenerate Birmingham New Street Station.  We are looking at bus rapid transit proposals and expanding schemes that take over five million car journeys a year off our congested roads.  We are rolling out Network West Midlands, with operators, across all modes of public transport.  We want to introduce smart card ticketing and we have a whole host of capital projects on the go.  We need to lobby hard to get a better deal from Government and, above all, we must focus on passengers and all the people of the West Midlands who need better transport choices.”

“This is a big job and we need a premier division chief executive to help us achieve what we want,” he says.