The government and the West Midlands Combined Authority have announced a partnership to take local control of bus services.

The partnership aims to protect routes and provide improved services.

This is the first move under this government to bring buses under public control in a major drive towards regionalisation and localisation of essential public services.

Local operator National Express has indicated it would leave the market, putting buses West Midlands at risk.

The partnership is backed by £11.5m of new government funding over the next three years.

The deal will support the West Midlands Combined Authority to save those services by bringing the bus network under public control. In the longer term, West Midlands Combined Authority is progressing work to directly control bus services through franchising, paying contractors to run the services for them.

The partnership is designed to protect around 4,800 jobs and keep up to 750 buses a day on the road

It is hoped that greater public control over bus services will give local leaders more say over routes, branding, fares and standards so that they can make sure they are designed, integrated and delivering in the best interests of local communities.

Liverpool City Region is also planning to bring its bus network under public control from 6th September.

Prime Minister Andy Burnham said: “When I said we would put power back into the hands of local communities, this is exactly what I was talking about. We’re not afraid to take bold action to protect people and we’re backing the Mayor to step in to save these vital bus services which millions of people rely on every day.

“Buses are the backbone of public transport in the West Midlands, and this step will mean better, more affordable services for communities across the region.

“This is just the start. No 10 North will play a key role in supporting local leaders right across the country and handing them the power they need to bring back hope and make the changes that are right for their communities.”

Richard Parker, Mayor of the West Midlands, said: “People rely on these buses to get to work, to school or to hospital appointments. They are a public service, and I believe they should be run in the public interest.

“So, we stepped in. We protected the services people depend on, protected jobs and kept the West Midlands moving.

“There should be no doubt who our bus network ultimately answers to - the millions of people who rely on it every single day.”