Bus service improvements

10:16am Wednesday 9th July 2008

IN response to the recent reported concerns following changes made to bus services, and, in particular, the withdrawal of service 57-58 from the Alexandra Hospital, I would like to highlight some of the issues, good and bad relating to bus services in and around Redditch.

Prior to making any decisions, passenger usage was monitored to and from the hospital and whilst there is a requirement for bus travel, the provision of 12 journeys per hour (six in each direction) in and out of the hospital grounds, was not a practical use of resources.

The Matchborough services 57/58 were extended into the Alex Grounds in 2002 and there was no regular provision prior to this change. We have identified that there does need to be a bus link to and from this facility and this is now provided every 15 mins by services 55-56.

I am in receipt of a number of concerns from passengers who feel inconvenienced by the withdrawal of service 57 and 58 and many of these have commented that they will have to find alternative ways of reaching the hospital.

It must be pointed out that although it does require a change of buses at the bus station in Redditch, there is still a regular provision that passengers can use to complete their journey's. It is also apparent that the majority of those needing to attend hospital do so infrequently and, therefore, the previous provision resulted in many additional miles being operated for relatively few passenger's.

Little has been said about the improvements' that were made at the same time, and I would also confirm to you that this has not been a cost-saving exercise, as we are actually operating more hours and miles than before the changes were made.

Improvements:- Service 51 to Batchley saw an increase of frequency from 12 to 10 minutes.

New service 69 introduced to provide a facility for residents in Bridley Moor and Parts of Batchley not previously served by buses.

Sunday service-51 Butchley increased to every 20 minutes.

Sunday service minutes-57 Matchborough increased to every 20.

Sunday service minutes-58 Matchborough increased to every 20.

Limited stop-Service X3 was changed to observe all stops within the Borough Boundary. This improves accessibility in the Webheath and Bromsgrove Road areas.

Service 55 and 56-Now extend through to the Alex Hospital.

Steve Zanker, Commercial Director, First, Leicester

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