Due to government advice for people to work from home and introduce social distancing as a result of the Coronavirus pandemic, there has been a significant reduction in people travelling and operators will begin to reduce the frequency of bus and rail services.

Transport for West Midlands is working closely with transport operators and key public services to provide safe, clean and functioning public transport to those who need it most during this time.

Travel Advice
From next week you will still be able to get to where you need to go but you may need to change the time you normally travel.

The frequency of train services across the UK will reduce from Monday 23 March.
Most bus operators including National Express West Midlands (NXWM) will be reducing the frequency of bus services from Wednesday 25 March. No NXWM routes will be stopped at this stage, just made less frequent. The usual first, last and night services will remain in operation.
Arriva and Travel Decourcey bus services will reduce from Monday 23 March.
West Midland Metro services are expected to remain as normal next week.
Transport operators are working on new timetables and will publish these online as soon as possible.

Please note: Some of our information systems, such as the online journey planner, may take a few days to reflect some changes. Information in bus stops will not be updated due to the changing nature of the situation. We will be working hard with opertors to keep you updated in every way we can.

Stay up to date
To help you understand these changes we have created a dedicated webpage so you have one place where you can stay up to date and find out the latest information over the coming weeks.
Go to: https://www.networkwestmidlands.com/plan…/network-overview/…

Helping the community
From Thursday 19 March 2020 and until further notice, the restriction on travel before 09.30 for holders of West Midlands Combined Authority older or disabled concessionary travel cards has been lifted, meaning they can travel free of charge on all bus*, train* and tram services in the West Midlands Network area from the start of service.

*9:30am restriction lifted on all local rail services from Monday 23 March. Excludes bus services operated by A&M Group and Flexibus.

Many leading supermarkets have decided to open early, or set aside the first hour of business exclusively for older customers and those most vulnerable. We hope that being able to use your pass earlier will allow you to take advantage of this.

Please bear in mind the Government’s advice about restricting social contact, particularly if you are over 70 or have underlying health conditions, and please do not travel if you are self-isolating. If you are unsure then please refer to the latest advice from the NHS and Public Health England at www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/.

Need to pause your Direct Debit travel card?
Due to the ongoing situation, should you wish to pause your Direct Debit travel pass purchased from us, we suggest cancelling the Direct Debit payment with your bank directly. This can normally be done easily through your banking app or by calling them. No need to call or email us. We are experiencing very high demand at our contact centre and are unable to get back to everyone as quickly as we would like.

To reactivate your pass please contact us within 6 months.
If you have a Direct Debit with a transport operator please check their website for their policy on suspending travel cards.