As the local elections approach, BBC News took to the Midlands Metro to hear what passengers really think. Riding the tram from Wolverhampton to Birmingham via West Bromwich, reporter Kathryn Stanczyszyn gathered unfiltered opinions on the issues that matter most.
Homelessness topped the list, with many riders expressing frustration over the visible crisis. Empty shops and vandalism also drew sharp criticism, alongside perennial complaints about potholes and neglected infrastructure.
"It's sad to see so many people sleeping rough, and the town centre is full of boarded-up stores," one passenger said. Another added, "The state of the roads is a joke. Politicians need to focus on fixing what's broken."
The conversations, part of a series of three films leading up to polling day on 7 May, highlight a electorate concerned with local decay and seeking genuine change.