We are in the process of reviewing and modernising the West Midlands bus network in partnership with the region's operators.

 

This work is part of a new "Bus Vision" for the region.  A draft document of the vision was put out for consultation early in 2008.

 

Customer views on bus travel show the most important areas for improvement are reliability, frequency, affordability, personal security, information, attractiveness and comfort - particularly while waiting.

 

Taking these ideas on board, Centro recently signed an innovative new partnership initiative with National Express West Midlands, the largest private bus operator in the region, and is seeking similar arrangements with other bus companies. The six key partnership routes in Birmingham, Walsall and West Bromwich have been launched and some routes feature leather seats on air chilled, state-of-the-art buses.

 

On all routes, passengers are benefiting from faster, cleaner and more frequent services and, for the first time, are able to get refunds if high standards of punctuality are not met. Routes feature limited stop services with increased frequencies and new, high quality bus shelters at 149 stops along the routes with a dedicated cleaning team.

 

Passengers will also benefit from an additional daytime litter removal service. Other upgrades include Real Time Information at many stops so passengers know exactly when the next bus will arrive.  CCTV is also being installed at key bus shelter locations to improve security.

 

Residents, commuters and visitors to Dudley now benefit from a new, improved and easy to understand bus network providing more frequent services to the borough's key destinations - taking people where they want, when they want.

 

The new network, carried out by Centro in partnership with bus operators, is the result of demands from passengers and businesses for a more modern and effective system.

 

The alterations to services and routes came into effect on 28 April 2008 and reflect the many new developments, both residential and commercial, that have been built in Dudley in recent years.