Initially, this consisted of members from the local government authorities then existing within WMPTE's operating area.

However, this new arrangement ultimately proved to be short lived, as the Local Government Act 1985 abolished the metropolitan county councils, the WMCC among them, with effect from 1 April 1986.

On that date, a new WMPTA was formed, comprising members from the West Midlands' seven metropolitan borough councils.

The name Network West Midlands was used for a rebranding of existing bus and train services from 2005 onwards, based on the premise that survey information had indicated that more people would use public transport if a strong brand were identifiable.

[7] At that time, the West Midlands Passenger Transport Area comprised the City of Birmingham, the County Boroughs of Dudley, Solihull, Walsall, Warley, West Bromwich, and Wolverhampton, and nearby parts of northern Worcestershire, northern Warwickshire, and southern Staffordshire.

On its formation in 1969 the WMPTE acquired the vehicles and other assets of the municipal bus fleets of Birmingham, Walsall, West Bromwich and Wolverhampton.

[11] The 1972 Local Government Act led to the creation, on 1 April 1974, of the West Midlands metropolitan county.

As a result, WMPTE's operating area was adjusted to match that of the new county, most notably adding Meriden and Coventry.

[12] In the 1980s, WMPTE decided to reopen and restore rail services through Birmingham Snow Hill station, which had closed in 1972.

[12] Restoration of passenger services on the Chase Line between Walsall and Rugeley, between 1989 and 1998 was a joint project of WMPTE and Staffordshire County Council.

Passenger services on the Walsall to Wolverhampton Line were also restored in 1998,[12] although these were not a success, and were withdrawn in 2008 due to low patronage.

[14] WMT remained in public ownership under the West Midlands Passenger Transport Authority until 1991, when it was sold to its management and employees for £60 million.

Similarly the enquiry office at Wolverhampton Interchange has received new signage West Midlands Network.

[20] In August 2009 Centro backed construction of a new railway in the West Midlands region for use by High Speed 2 trains, which would allow existing lines to have "better and more frequent local services".

[22] Towards the very end of its existence, WMPTE developed plans for a new network of 'Sprint' services to be implemented by the incoming transport authority, TfWM.

In addition, the award winning Letzgogreen (sic) website educated school pupils and teachers about the benefits of sustainable transport.

[24] nTrain passes were valid on all local train services within the Network West Midlands zonal rail map, and to select out-of-county stations in the Birmingham travel-to-work metropolitan area.