Guest column by Andy Street, Mayor of the West Midlands

Birmingham Irish • December 13, 2020

While Birmingham’s Irish community has its spiritual home in Digbeth, I know that the BIA’s members live all across the Second City and beyond into the wider West Midlands. 

At this time of year, we are usually thinking about paying a visit to loved ones for Christmas. While the effects of coronavirus may make this a different experience this year, it’s so important that Brum has a world-class transport system to help us get about now and in the future.

In my last column, I wrote about how the Metro extension to Digbeth will bring new opportunities to the community there. This month I want tell you about some of the other transport investments we are making – particularly on buses - and efforts to make travelling around the city safer.
For decades, our region’s transport was massively underinvested in, compared to other places. When I became the first elected Mayor of the West Midlands, I committed to reverse that decline and work to get our fair share of transport investment.

Transport isn’t just about getting around – it is about providing people with the ability to access the good jobs and opportunities that are there, and that is even more crucial than ever now, as we plot our way out of the coronavirus pandemic and its economic impact.
Plus, of course, high-quality public transport attracts businesses to invest nearby. As work begins in Digbeth on the Metro, we will see that new transport investment at work. I was delighted that Chancellor Rishi Sunak has now committed to a new five-year transport settlement which could be worth as much as £800million to support the next stages of our plan here. 

Alongside our ambitions on the Metro and railways, buses are crucial to getting around the city – after all, the vast majority of public transport journeys are made by bus here. I want to outline three ways that we are improving the experience of bus passengers.

First of all, bus users will benefit from the fourth year of a fares freeze from National Express. This means that throughout my time as Mayor, fares from our main provider have been frozen, in contrast with the rises of the past. This is really important as before COVID-19 hit the fares freeze was helping drive the increase in bus use.

Secondly, we want to make bus journeys more comfortable and safer. That’s why Birmingham and the West Midlands is going to lead the country with tough new byelaws to tackle anti-social behaviour on buses.
These new rules will mean people who spoil the journey of others through smoking, vaping, drunk and disorderly behaviour, playing loud music, vandalism, threatening and offensive behaviour or obstructing people can face being thrown off the bus and being fined. 

The rules have existed on trams and trains but now they are being extended to buses. I believe people have the right to a safe, pleasant journey and this will help tackle the small number of people who don’t want you to.
Finally, we need to ensure that the vehicles themselves are up-to-date. That’s why investment in the region’s fleet is also being stepped up with the rollout of “platinum” buses and now electric buses – thanks to National Express’ commitment to never buy another diesel bus for use in the West Midlands.

This is a massive commitment, which will see our main service provider change much of the way it operates to adapt to the new greener vehicles. For example, bus drivers have to be specially trained to drive electric buses. The vehicles behave completely differently to diesel-driven buses, and drivers have to drive to preserve the charge for as long as possible and extend the range. Engineers have been trained in a whole new kind of maintenance too.

This year has been incredibly challenging for us all. For much of 2020 we have been unable to get out and about, due to lockdowns and social distancing. As Christmas approaches, the news that COVID vaccines are now being given in the UK has helped bring us all a little festive cheer and a sense of hope that normality will return.

I’m happy to say that, as we look forward to 2021, we are unwrapping lots of improvements to create a world-class transport system for Birmingham and the West Midlands – so we can all enjoy the freedom of travelling again soon.
Andy Street, Mayor of the West Midlands
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