00:00A plan for a tram-like electric bus service across the West Midlands has been advanced
00:06after a key funding decision. The West Midlands Combined Authority Investment Board has approved
00:12the business case to purchase 24 sprint vehicles for a route linking Walsall, Birmingham and
00:18Solihull, with connections towards Birmingham Airport. The scheme was first proposed in
00:232018 and was previously discussed as a potential addition ahead of the 2022 Commonwealth Games,
00:30but it was delayed during the Covid pandemic and amid rising costs. Transport for West Midlands
00:37says parts of the route already have infrastructure in place, including new stops, upgraded signalling
00:44and sections of bus priority lane, while other stretches are still to be built or extended.
00:50A published map shows a mix of completed and planned lane sections along the corridor. Mayor
00:57Richard Parker says the project would create a continuous cross-city service for the first
01:03time in decades and is intended to reduce journey times. Walsall Council leader Mike Bird says
01:10better links to Solihull could also improve access to the airport. Transport for West Midlands
01:16says the vehicles would allow faster boarding be fully accessible and make it easier to interchange
01:22with bus, metro and rail services. No launch date is confirmed and further construction is required.
01:28Alright, bye bye.
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