Bus services in Staffordshire to be cut back as passengers fall
A bus company that will shut its Stafford base next month has announced a host of cuts and reductions to its services.
Arriva said its services would be 'stronger, simpler and more sustainable'.
The company will finish a consultation on what to do with up to 50 staff affected by the Stafford depot's closure on September 2 and it wants to roll out changes the next day.
It has said its Cannock to Stafford 74 route and 825 bus, from Stafford to Lichfield, will no longer run between Stafford Hospital and Staffordshire University.
The number 3 route from Stafford will no longer travel to Wildwood and people who want to get a bus from there will have to get the 74 bus on Cannock Road.
Its number 1 service from Stafford to Baswich will become an hourly service. It currently runs every half an hour. But the 825 will be diverted through there to offer a half-hourly alternative.
The 76 between Stafford and Wolverhampton will be 'split in two' and the company will not run that between Wolverhampton and Penkridge other than on Sundays, when the service will be offered with the 76A.
Cannock Chase District Council leader Councillor George Adamson said: "It is just more and more cuts. Some of these services go down my road – they are busy services. It is cuts coming from the council.
They are not prepared to fund the services and people are going to notice the difference."
In addition the number 3 bus route will no longer serve Norton Green Lane in Cannock, while there will soon be three buses an hour between Huntington Terrace Road and Belt Road.
There are currently four on the 62 and 63 routes. The 70 route between Rugeley, Hednesford, Cannock, Cheslyn Hay and Wolverhampton will be split into two.
That will only now pass between Cannock and Wolverhampton once every hour – but the 71 will still ensure there are two buses running.
A new route between Cannock and Rugeley will operate every half an hour but will not serve Pear Tree.
Rob Cheveaux, Arriva Midlands (West) area managing director, said: "Unfortunately, despite our best efforts, low passenger numbers on some of our routes have meant that it is no longer commercially viable for us to continue operating them as they currently are.
"We have, where possible, worked to find alternative solutions which will be sustainable in the long-term and will enable those customers affected to still be served by a simpler, stronger bus service."
