Express & Star

Free wi-fi trial at revamped Walsall Bus Station

Free passenger wi-fi is to be trialled at Walsall’s newly refurbished bus station – ahead of a roll out across the West Midlands region.

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The new-look Walsall Bus Station will have free wi-fi

West Midlands Mayor Andy Street announced the trial while visiting the St Paul’s bus station following the £680,000 revamp.

The works included the installation of new energy efficient LED lighting, a new cycle storage area, driver rest area, CCTV upgrades, new public information displays and refurbished toilets.

The building, which is nearly 20 years old and is used by eight million passengers a year, has also been painted and clad in the new red West Midlands Buses branding.

Walsall bus station is run by Transport for West Midlands (TfWM), part of the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA).

Mr Street said: “I am delighted that passengers will soon be able to browse using free Wi-Fi while they wait for their buses at stations across the West Midlands.

“This Wi-Fi upgrade comes after other recent improvements delivered with our Bus Alliance partners such as contactless and smart ticketing, live travel information apps and low fare zones.

“On top of this we are also spending significant sums improving stations where needed. It was great to visit the improved Walsall St Paul’s station, which is looking fantastic after our £680,000 investment.

“These improvements show how committed we are to improving the public transport experience, and I am proud that this approach is yielding results - with bus passenger numbers up in our region but down across the UK.” Last year, before the work started, customer surveys revealed Walsall bus station was regarded by users as cold, unwelcoming and cramped.

“Recent feedback has proved more positive – with passengers stating they feel safer, find the station more spacious and are enjoying the improved facilities.

Councillor Ian Ward, leader of Birmingham City Council and WMCA portfolio holder for transport, added: “The transformation at Walsall St Paul’s bus station has been very popular with passengers and we are delighted to be moving on to carry out similar schemes at more of our bus stations, including Pool Meadow in Coventry in the near future.

“We are investing billions of pounds in public transport across the region to make it easier for people to leave their cars at home and take the bus, train, tram or cycle instead.”