Express & Star

Major shake-up of bus services planned to beat congested roads

A major shake-up of bus services across Dudley could be on the way as transport chiefs revealed they were looking to cut journey times.

Published
National Express has launched a consultation

National Express said changes to timetables around the borough may be needed due to the level of congestion on the roads.

A consultation has been launched to help transport experts judge where changes are needed including some services in Sandwell, Wolverhampton and Birmingham.

It is the first major review of bus services in Dudley for almost a decade, during which time National Express said congestion has increased on the borough's busiest routes, leading to longer journey times.

Commuters and bus passengers are being encouraged to have their say on the future of bus services.

Regular users of buses on major routes, such as Birmingham New Road and the A491, will be all too familiar with being caught up in traffic jams.

National Express said on its website: "We’re consulting on possible changes to bus services in and around Dudley and would like your views to help us to shape the network for the future.

"The last major review of bus services in Dudley took place in 2008. Since then, congestion has increased and many journey times have risen. Patterns of demand have changed and we may need to change the bus network to reflect this.

"We are working closely with Transport for West Midlands, Dudley Council and other stakeholders to review the current network of bus services in and around Dudley to ensure that it meets today's and future needs.

"We're considering all routes within the Dudley borough as part of this review as well as some services in Sandwell, Wolverhampton and Birmingham.

"Many routes in Dudley run to and from these areas and we need to consider the wider network to make sure that the links and journey opportunities offered are the right ones.

"We've provided the opportunity for general comments about services in each area but have also asked specific questions about certain services. The specific questions are not proposals to change services - we would simply like your views on changes that might be possible."

The consultation can be viewed on the National Express website