Walsall Bus Service Changes - 22-Jul-07

Travel West Midlands today announced the latest Walsall bus service changes following a review of operations in the Walsall area.Alex Perry Area Director Black Country said "We are making significant changes to our local bus services following a review we have undertaken to improve network travel for our customers. The changes are tailored to link into the conurbation wide bus services that we provide through out the West Midlands County.These service changes will take place from July 22nd. We are convinced that our review will improve the local bus provision as we continue ’making travel simpler’ for our customers.The 51 inter-urban bus route linking Walsall and Birmingham has proven to be very successful, and will remain unchanged as the recent ’up grade’ of the service has led to 92% of passengers commenting very favourably, some suggesting that it was an excellent service. We are delighted by the results of this independent survey and are keen to see the route developed further. More information will be forthcoming on this service over the next few weeks. The new changes to Walsall services are now set out below. Bus Service changes from 22nd July 2007The 331 Walsall to Lodge Farm service will be altered to give a new faster 20 minute service to customers travelling between Walsall and Lodge Farm. This replaces the current service which operates at a half hour frequency. There are some slight changes to the route and in operating a faster more frequent service we will now no longer serve Moat and Blay Avenues. Diverting instead along the A454 Wolverhampton Road before travelling around Stroud Avenue returning to Walsall.Travel West Midlands have also given attention to the 369 and 341 services. These two services have been tweaked to provide a steady 15 minute service between Willenhall and New Invention strengthening this important local corridor.Service changes on the 302A and 302C are again being simplified .The route will no longer serve the loop incorporating Stafford Road and Sanstone Road. We are creating a more direct line of route where it will follow Buxton Road and Sanstone Road and return. This removes confusing ’loop’ working and will improve levels of service to customers.Travel West Midlands are also today announcing improved frequency on the 370A service which operates to the important Beechdale estate. A new improved 7 minute bus frequency will be implemented - this will provide for 8 buses an hour for residents living in the corridor. The 370 is being combined with the 371 service. This service will continue to serve Dudley Fields and Bloxwich on a half hourly frequency.The new improved services will also come with distinctively branded low floor easy access vehicles. More information on this route launch will follow. Download the 331/332 timetable here (PDF)Download the 370/37A timetable here (PDF) Brownhills services:A new 394/394A bus service is to be introduced providing links on a new 10 minute frequency between Walsall and Brownhills. The 394A will serve Coppice Road, Friezland Lane and Brownhills High Street to the Rising Sun. Combining the 394 and 394A which will now operate on alternative departures will give a 20 minute frequency for customers wishing to travel to the Rising Sun.A revised 395 bus service will also provide a 30 minute service between Walsall and Burntwood. It will operate through Rushall Heath End and via Pelsall then travelling onto Brownhills along the A4124-Ogley Hay Road before completing its journey in Burntwood.This change in service will provide customers in Pelsall with an improved bus service operating on a 15 minute service. This is made possible by operation of the 395 service and 346 services in the corridor. The 396A/C bus services are being withdrawn. Travel West Midlands will therefore no longer serve Norton Canes, Norton East and Norton West. Whilst TWM are no longer to serve these villages, alternative bus operators will continue to provide service. Travel West Midlands is to concentrate on its ’core’ network inside the West Midlands County. We have spoken with Staffordshire County Council explaining the decision we have taken. Also the 394 service will also be withdrawn from Boney Hay, and the 392 and 393 service will also be withdrawn from service as part of these routes are to be absorbed into the new 394/394A operation. Again other bus operators provide service in this area of Staffordshire.The 311 route linking Walsall Wednesbury and Stourbridge has proven very successful since its re-launch with the advent of new buses and a striking new livery in November 2006. It has grown patronage by 5%. We are pleased that the 311 service has proven to be so well balanced. We believe that the changes being made to our local services will also enhance bus service opportunity for customers now and in to the future in Walsall.Download the 394/394A/394B/395 timetable here (PDF)

Published 7th June 2007