West Midlands Combined Authority has launched a consultation on the Wolverhampton City Centre Advanced Quality Bus Partnership, planned to come into force on 30 September 2018.
The move will affect eight operators: National Express West Midlands (West Midlands Travel Ltd), National Express Coaches Ltd, Diamond Bus (Rotala), Igo buses, Arriva, Banga Buses, Travel Express (Let’s Go) and Select Buses
The proposed scheme will cover 70 bus stops/stands and shelters (including the stands in the West Midlands Combined Authority owned Wolverhampton Bus Station) that are within the city centre Ring Road.
The phasing of the minimum emission standards for Wolverhampton City Centre are in line with the West Midlands Bus Alliance's current commitments of a minimum of all buses being Euro 5 by 1 January 2020, and Euro 6 a year later.
This is in line with standards imposed on the recently-created scheme in Solihull.
Wolverhampton City Council is keen to replicate the achievements of the Birmingham City Centre and Solihull Town Centre partnerships with better management of bus services and associated benefits including introducing slot booking to manage on street departures, reduce congestion, improve safety, require operators to provide real time passenger information, and specify that operators use vehicles at particular emission standards.
The consultation is here
