D-day looms on district bus services

Passengers using South Staffordshire bus services serving Wolverhampton, Walsall and Penkridge will find out this week whether any operators have come forward to run services earmarked for the chop.

Essington district and parish councillor David Clifft said the decision by The Green Bus Company to withdraw services was a "body blow" which would leave villagers stranded. All Saturday bus services from Essington will stop at the end of this month along with the 5.35pm weekday service to Wolverhampton.

Tuesday services to Walsall and the Wednesday services to Penkridge are also set to be axed after The Green Bus Company, based in Great Wyrley, found they were not making enough money.

Councillor Clifft, chairman of Essington Parish Council, said today: "We learned back in November that The Green Bus Company had given the required notice of 13 weeks of its intention to withdraw its Saturday service in Essington.

"This is yet another body blow to residents who rely on this vital service and comes on the back of losing our service to Wednesfield several months ago.

"I am absolutely outraged by the cuts and the fact that no-one has bothered to inform us or to consult with the wider community about the effects.

"For some residents both young and old, this service is a vital lifeline which enables them to shop, visit friends and go about their lives.

"The loss of the Saturday service will have a profound effect on most sections of the community."

Councillor Clifft added he had received notice from Staffordshire County Council that he would be informed about replacement services, depending on availability of operators and cost involved.

Graham Martin, director of Green Bus, said: "The services were losing money which is why we have to stop them. We counted just six people on the 5.35pm service last week."

Staffordshire County Council spokeswoman Tamsin Carr said today that the services were out to tender with other companies but the results would be back by Thursday.