Buses are the main form of public transport in Birmingham. Over 478,000 bus journeys are made in the West Midlands every day.

The 61/63 route serves South West Birmingham along the A38 Bristol Road: Edgbaston, Selly Oak, Weoley, Bournville, Allens Cross, Northfield, Frankley, Longbridge and Rubery. It also serves many key hospitals, schools, universities, colleges and sports facilities.

The route has unreliable journey times which puts people off taking the bus.

Journey data shows that bus journeys take up to 30 minutes longer in peak times, if a bus shows up at all.

Buses are the most accessible form of public transport and a lifeline for the most vulnerable to go about their lives.

There were bus measures put in during the pandemic that were removed because of Gary Sambrook MP and previous city councillors. The previous bus lane was installed overnight because the Government refused to give local authorities the time to properly consult on any projects.

There is now a Government-funded project to prioritise buses along this route. It will be consulted on by Transport for West Midlands later this year and has to be delivered by 2027.

We call for buses to be prioritised along the A38 and on high streets so that south west Birmingham gets a reliable, punctual and regular bus service.