Passengers told to walk as bus struggles up hill
Passengers on a Black Country bus were flabbergasted when they were asked to get off and walk up a hill to lighten the load on a struggling single deck vehicle.
Passengers on a Black Country bus were flabbergasted when they were asked to get off and walk up a hill to lighten the load on a struggling single deck vehicle.
John and Rita Wardle were on the packed 283 bus when they say it suddenly cut out while the driver tried to make his way up Highbridge Road in Netherton, Dudley.
The couple claim the driver asked if people would mind getting off and walking to the top where he would pick them up, hoping the lighter load would enable him to get the bus going again.
The Wardles, who are both in their 70s and were laden down with heavy shopping bags, said there was no way they were getting off the bus.
Retired furniture salesman Mr Wardle today said it was "disgusting" that National Express was running buses which he claims seem worn out.
He said: "We didn't get off the bus, I mean it defeats the object of catching one doesn't it?
"We had three or four bags with us so we wouldn't have carried them up a hill.
"It's laughable really. I felt sorry for the driver it was embarrassing for him.
"The bus always has a job of getting up the hill and grinds its way to the top.
"I think there are a lot of old buses being run in the Black Country and it's disgusting."
National Express West Midlands today said it was investigating the incident and a spokeswoman added: "Providing reliable and safe bus journeys is our priority."
About half of the 50 passengers did get off and joined the bus at the top of the hill where it continued its journey, according to Mr Wardle. The couple, of Netherton, were on their way home from a shopping trip at the Merry Hill Centre.
The service runs from the Merry Hill Centre to Bilston and Mr Wardle says over the past 10 years he and other passengers have written to the company on numerous occasions to complain about it being unreliable and overcrowded.
Mr Wardle added: "This must be the worse service in the whole of the West Midlands. "Sometimes it turns up late and sometimes not at all although it's not been too bad recently.
"I've asked for the route to be extended to three buses an hour because they get so full. Passengers deserve better."
