Bus passengers win extension to service

Bus routes affected by the £22 million transformation of Wolverhampton bus station are being extended into the city centre following protests from passengers over chaotic services, transport bosses revealed today.

Commuters had complained that several lines diverted during the bus station development had left them too far from key amenities

But today bosses at National Express West Midlands announced the extension of some services. The 501 from Tettenhall, 510 from Pattingham and 543 from Castlecroft will no longer terminate in Darlington Street, where passengers were being forced to get off and walk up to half-a-mile to the railway station.

Instead they will loop into the city centre via Garrick Street, Market Street, Princess Street and Lichfield Street.

Today campaigners welcomed the change, but questioned why the new extensions will not come into use until May.

Wolverhampton City councillor Manohar Minhas, who launched a petition demanding the changes, said: "It's a little disappointing it will take a month to implement the new routes because ideally we would like action now but this is a step in the right direction.

"Largely, it's good news and I welcome the new route.

"It will do what we asked and take passengers coming in from the west of the city into the centre, closer to the shops and closer to the station.

"I'm glad National Express as listened to us."

Tony Kinch, who has also campaigned for the changes, said: "I'm grateful for National Express for listening to passengers, it will be appreciated by a lot of elderly people in the city."

Stephen Rhodes, director of passenger services at Centro said: "We're pleased we have been able to address these problems by creating revised bus routes."

By Colin Drury