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There can be so many ways this franchising plan could go.  

Who remembers the old Sandwell and Dudley bus review Centro did some years back or Wil it be done when tenders are up for renewal.

If the new Metro Mayor was that keen on franchising surely this group of tenders could have been this first group of routes to be in franchise bids

What as happening with the St George's tram stop a year on and still not re opened to passengers.

I thought the plan was alternative trams to serve the old stol

The fares cap is going to be increased from £2 to £3. This will be announced at the next budget.

Nx have already said there fairs for 2025 will be better £2.90 

My Dad once figured out that a single was half the price of the daysaver this won't happen but I could see some operators doing this that rather increase to £3 they might just rise it to £2.50 if a Daysaver is £5

£2.90 is cheaper

Surely on smaller routes like 67 Wednesbury to Yew Tree via Friar Park it will be harder to bid on as if it is low passenger numbers is it worth Diamond or NX going for it as it could end up making a loss in the long term.

Mayor apparently seems to think there isn't any Night buses in the West Midlands hmm NX running to 11PM Midnight or even 2/3AM isn't a night Bus then forgetting the 24hr X1, 97, he says he wants to introduce them. If this for areas like Cannock, Shropshire or even some of the smaller areas outside of the major towns and cities, I don't think they are going to work because they are not economically viable no point running a bus with just the driver if the company can't pay the driver's or the Diesel. Most NX Services finish at 11/Midnight and usually have 1 to 2 people on on a Weekday. Have seen the last 37 terminate at Darlaston before and about 5 to 6 people got off maybe more. The 34 passing it had about 2  people on and the 79 that came in had about 4 people on with 2 getting of at Darlaston. Unless I have understood this wrong we have Night services maybe not London level but when I tell people in the sticks our last bus is at Midnight or Quarter past 11 they get jealous as there Last Bus is at 5 or 6PM

I believe the 74 went 24hrs at one point in it's recent history.

I think both candidates for Labour and the Conservatives make good points.  I would prefer Andy Streets method of capping fares, because a franchise method you still going to have delays to service during the day. 

But no one as considered that first thing we you need to look at getting people out of private vehicles first and onto public transport and keeping them using it, but how do you do that and at what cost to the local authority or transport operator/s.  

4815 on 47 and 4817 on 87 on loan to WB

More likely transfers rather than loans, 

17 was Delivered  back in December 2013 i remember being there in the rain has passed into the depot all wrapped up in white sheeting.

It was not until early 2014 that it made a few test runs on the mainline (only very few in day light hours)  with the arrival of a few more  urbos 3s  17 was confined to the depot has a static test bed
but did make a few more mainline runs again during daylight hours in the summer of 2014
you had to be out on the right day to see it , this gain was just for a few days testing only ( I have photos some were )

Monday June 6th 2016 was 17s first run into Grand central and has since then been running on its fault free mileage  accumulation testing Monday /Friday .

Over the weekend 17 was parked in front of T69 16 ,    Today it was out running again back in the depot at 13.10

Centro has a report saying tram 17 was delivered October 2013.

17 is out on test again today. Notices on the windows mentioning 'endurance testing'.

*Posted this at the same time as the above post.

what is endurance testing?  has tram 17 been fitted with the batteries

It's true and fair enough point though and it's probably quicker to walk than catch the tram from wsg to pipers row.

Wolverhampton St George's will be bypassed after the royal stopping at the two new stops, with some trams stopping at Wolverhampton St George's

Have Harborne Services go to the Markets, like the 103 (now 24) - but with all the Harborne Corridor. i.e. 22, 23, 24 (obviously), 29/A... Under a different number, of course...

Alternatively, introduce service 25. Markets to Weoley Castle, via Colmore Row, Augustus Road, then Harborne (via Westfield Road), Welsh House Farm, Quinton, West Boulevard, Bartley Green, Kitwell, then back round Bartley Green.

This now happens stops on bridge close to markets outbound journey since 2015

Would love to see this head back into the city centre via Holloway Head between 6:30-9:30am and 4:30pm-6:30pm terminating at New St Station

Whilst I completely understand your point you have to remember that destination blinds can only show so much at once. Birmingham and Wolverhampton is more informative for a visitor to an area than the older alternatives.

did they have a scrolling one when ozzy and HRH did tram naming i.e 'midland metro welcomes ozzy osbourne'