The West Midlands needs a Transport for London style regulator to co-ordinate bus, train and Metro services for the benefit of commuters, a city council watchdog committee has claimed.
Members of Birmingham's transport scrutiny committee described the city's bus, train and Metro services as a "shambles", complaining that operators did not work together or make fares and timetables convenient for passengers.
They were particularly keen to see a swipe card system, similar to the Oyster card in London, which could be used on all public transport and criticised National Express West Midlands for not playing a full part in the existing Swift Card scheme.
Coun Tristan Chatfield (Lab Oscott) said: "Bus services are a total shambles, some give change, others don't, some take swift passes, some give tickets which go to the Black Country others do not."
It was also mentioned that buses failed to tie up with train services.
"There is a real weakness in our bus service, where as in London, where the service is regulated, it is far better."
His colleague Coun John O'Shea (Lab Acocks Green) added: "We need to have a Transport West Midlands with the same powers as Transport for London."
The committee was discussing the Birmingham Connected 20-year transport plan which, as well as setting out plans for new Metro, rail and rapid bus lines, aims to integrate services with single and convenient fare systems and better connections to encourage more people to ditch their cars.
But as well as the need for a regional regulator, there was also a call for more transport funding from Government.
Coun Josh Jones (Lab Stockland Green) said: "There needs to be a massive rebalancing of funding, in London they have spent £545 per person on transport infrastructure compared to £236 per person in the West Midlands. There just hasn't been the investment over the last 30 years."
The Birmingham Connected plan highlighted the aim of reopening the Camp Hill Chords and Sutton Park lines to passenger trains by 2021.
But Conservative transport spokesman Coun Timothy Huxtable (Bournville) said that other projects due in 2021, including the Metro extensions to Hagley Road and Curzon Street, had funding in place whereas Camp Hill Chords was currently unfunded.
Head of transport services Anne Shaw admitted the timescale might be a little optimistic and it was more likely to be delivered in line with HS2 and would be open by 2026.
