Wolverhampton bus services hit by fall in passengers

Passenger numbers on some of the bus services that have been re-routed into Wolverhampton's £22.5 million station following campaigns have fallen by up to a fifth, it emerged today.

Services were originally diverted away from the station when it opened last year as part of an overhaul of the city's bus network, prompting outrage and thousands of signatures on petitions.

But a report for councillors in Wolverhampton show the number 69 service between Walsall and Wolverhampton has had a 22 per cent drop in usage since last autumn when it was put back into the bus station.

The report also reveals the number two service from Bushbury has "lost passengers as a result of the bus station diversion" while the number one has lost passengers since it was re-routed further down Lichfield Street to get it nearer to the station.

There was widespread anger last year when one in three services were found not to be using the new facility despite 15 months of work and a massive investment.

But the report to Wolverhampton City Council's equalities project board reveals bus operators such as National Express West Midlands have experienced a drop in trade. Councillor Ian Claymore, who gathered more than 1,100 signatures calling for a re-think of services in Oxley, said: "The report reads as though the argument is why do we have a bus station?

"I believe we need one as part of an integrated transport system. You can't tell people they have to walk 200 yards to get a connecting bus when you have a brand new bus station."

The report reads: "Since these changes were made the following effects have been seen. Service six (from Wobaston) continues to perform well and has benefitted from the bus station. Service two has lost passengers as a result of the bus station diversion.

"Service one has lost passengers since it was rerouted to serve Lichfield Street. Services three (Fordhouses) and four (Pendeford) continue to grow."

The report added: "Service 69, which was re-routed to serve the bus station in autumn 2011 saw a 22 per cent decrease in passenger numbers."

Centro spokesman Mark Langford added: "Services one and two saw a small drop in passenger numbers as a result of the change in route, but this was following initial patronage gains of up to 6 per cent from the successful implementation of the network review. "Seasonal variations in passenger numbers were also a factor".