Essington bus service in line for revamp
A bus service in a South Staffordshire village could be revamped after complaints about buses turning up late and not picking up passengers.
Parish councillors in Essington held crisis talks with Arriva bosses this week after residents complained they had been made late for work and missed hospital appointments.
The transport firm has now said that it will look into drawing up a new timetable and route for the service, which runs between Cannock and Wolverhampton.
Residents will be given the chance to have a say on the proposed changes during a consultation in the coming weeks.
There are hopes that buses could run every 30 minutes instead of the current hourly service.
Arriva spokesman Keith Myatt said surveys would be carried out online and on the buses to see how people would like the service to change.
Council chairman David Clifft said: "Unless the service is greatly improved, residents would be cut off from Wolverhampton and Cannock.
"Arriva agreed at the meeting, that there are problems with the service and a major overhaul of the time table and route needed to be done.
"At the meeting Arriva and the council agreed to a number of changes, including changes to the route in order to keep the bus running on time."
Mr Myatt said: "Arriva are looking at a range of options to improve the punctuality and reliability.
"We know it takes too long on its current route so we are looking to make changes.
"We will draw up two options after discussions with bus passengers."
