Details of a New Deal for Bus Passengers will go out to consultation from tomorrow.

The purpose of the New Deal for Bus Passengers is the formation of a framework for a quality partnership, which will encourage people across the West Midlands to travel by bus, and a commitment from Travel West Midlands (TWM) to invest £10 million per annum for three years for infrastructure and information improvements.

The West Midlands Passenger Transport Authority will consider the document at its next meeting on Monday 7 December.

Centro Director General Rob Donald said:

"This document should pave the way for a new style of partnership. It provides a framework for a wide range of improvements across the West Midlands bus network – including speed and reliability, comprehensive information provision, including better at-stop information, and improved stability of service, amongst a number of other initiatives.

"The input of National Express Group in develpoing this consultation document has been particularly welcome."

Travel West Midlands Chief Executive David Leeder said:

"To date, quality partnerships have focused on individual routes. This partnership is aimed at a very much bigger geographical area, and will bring benefits to the whole county.

"We are looking to commit National Express group / Travel West Midlands to £10 million per annum over the next three years for investment in infrastructure and information improvements.

"This would be in addition to current TWM investment programmes in fleet renewal, new depots, ticketing marketing customer information projects etc. we do, however, expect that the public sector will continue to invest in infrastructure and that they do not see this money as being levered into "replace" current public sector funding.

"The West Midlands has had a formidable record of achievement in the past, and this New Deal today will provide the basis for even more success in the future."

West Midlands Passenger Transport Authority’s Chair Councillor Richard Worrall said:

"Centro and Travel West Midlands have put in a lot of hard work to achieve this new deal framework. I expect the Passenger Transport authority at its meeting next Monday will endorse the approach.

"The consultation document is fully in line Government expectations and deserves widespread support."

Mr Donald and Mr Leeder have signed the ‘New Deal’ document off for consultation with West Midlands local authorities, bus, rail, operators and the traffic commissioner.