Just over 12 months since a major overhaul, local bus services are in the news again – for all the wrong reasons. Bus operator ARRIVA has withdrawn its X31 Cannock to Birmingham service and judging by our postbag many of  the other bus routes across our area are suffering from poor reliability.

ARRIVA did ask the Labour controlled West Midlands Passenger Transport Authority, Centro, along with their counterparts in South Staffs, to help the loss making service by way of a subsidy. They also looked at ways of modifying the service to improve its viability. oth these efforts have drawn a blank.

It’s a real pity about he X31. This ground breaking service had not only proved popular with commuters seeking links to work, shopping and leisure, it also opened up local links to New Invention, Short Heath, Shepwell Green and Bentley.  Willenhall Liberal Democrat Focus Team Councillors are lobbying  Centro urging it to find another operator for the X31. “It would be really good if someone like “Black Diamond” would consider tapping into this very real local need” commented Willenhall North Lib Dem Cllr Ian Shires.

On the issue of poor reliability, local commuters have complained to the Lib Dem Focus Team in Willenhall about the 41 and 69 services in particular. The more information we have on this issue the better we are able to help users of services across New Invention and Short Heath.

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