- Identification of metropolitan area
- Responsible authorities
- Public transport networks
- Financing/Pricing data
- City News
Birmingham
Responsible authorities
CENTRO West Midlands Passenger Transport Executive & Authority
Centro House 16 Summer Lane - B19 3SD Birmingham - United Kingdom
Tel : 44 121 200 2787 - Fax :44 121 214 7010
johnsidebotham@centro.org.uk
Chief Executive: Goeff Inskip
Date of creation: 1985
Status: Public Corporation
Personnel: 356
Organization
Centro, the West Midlands Passenger Transport Executive and Authority, promotes and develops public transport across the West Midlands.
The seven District Councils which make up the West Midlands County – Birmingham, Coventry, Dudley, Sandwell, Solihull, Walsall and Wolverhampton – each have representatives on the Authority and there are a total of 27 local councillors who work together to decide upon the policies and financial structure of the organisation.
The West Midlands Passenger Transport Executive (WMPTE) was created in 1969 following the 1968 Transport Act. The West Midlands Metropolitan County was formed in 1974 as a result of the 1972 Local Government Act and incorporated Coventry. The 1985 Transport Act deregulated and privatised bus services across the UK. From that date, WMPTE assumed its new role co-ordinating the services of all local private bus operators and adopted the name of Centro shortly afterwards to distinguish itself from its previous role as an operator.
Centro work in partnership with the Local Authorities, bus, rail and tram operators and the general public to bring about improvements in the public transport network, subsidise socially necessary bus stations, provide bus shelters, run bus stations and promote and develop Midland Metro (tram).
Centro are also a co-signatory to the new rail franchise awarded to Govia, which took effect in November 2007. In addition, Centro also funds free travel for the over 60’s and disabled people, and half price travel for the under 16’s.
Budget
The West Midlands Metropolitan Area gross value added (GVA) at current basic prices (2004) : £42 billion which equates to £16,416 per head of population, lower than the UK average of £17,100.
This accounted for 4% of UK economic activity in 2004 as measured by GVA.