Bus users in Sandwell are being urged to make their voices heard in a major review of services.
Centro, the region’s transport authority is working with Sandwell Council, Birmingham City Council and bus operators to scrutinise the network and see what can be done to improve services in the borough for existing and prospective passengers.
The aim is to build on the already strong transport network to provide routes that better serve modern travel patterns while also bringing improved buses, waiting facilities and information.
The review is being led by Centro, the region’s transport authority, and covers all of the bus services that come into the Sandwell area.
Centro director of passenger services Stephen Rhodes said: “We want to know what people think of their bus service and whether it is providing what they actually want.
“By conducting a network review we can ensure buses best serve places such as businesses, health, leisure, education facilities and shops.”
A series of public exhibitions will be held in Sandwell and adjoining areas throughout May where people can speak to Centro, bus operators and Sandwell Council staff and give their views.
They are:
- Saturday 12th May, 10am to 4pm, static indoor exhibition in Dudley Bus Station, between Stand C and the Travel Shop
- Sunday 13th May, 10am to 4.30pm, Network West Midlands (NWM) Exhibition Bus at Sandwell Valley Country Park, off Salter’s Lane
- Monday 14th May, 1pm to 6pm, NWM marquee at Sainsburys, Halesowen Street, Blackheath
- Tuesday 15th May, 9am to 1pm, NWM bus at Windmill Centre in front of Peacocks and Pure Gym, Cape Hill, and 3pm to 7pm at Wednesbury bus station, Loxdale Street
- Wednesday 16th May, 10am to 4pm, Static indoor exhibition in ASDA Great Bridge, in foyer, Brickhouse Lane
- Thursday 17th May, 10am to 4pm, NWM marquee, Bearwood Bus Station, Bearwood Road
- Friday 18th May, 9am to 2pm, NWM marquee by Stone Cross shops, junction of Walsall Road and Jervoise Lane
- Saturday 19th May, 10am to 4pm, NWM bus, Oldbury by Council House and Sainsburys
- Monday 21st May, 9am to 1pm, NWM marquee at Cradley Heath Interchange
- Tuesday 22nd May, 1pm to 6pm, NWM marquee at Tipton ASDA, Wednesbury Oak Road
- Wednesday 23rd May, 9am to 3pm, NWM marquee at West Bromwich markets, High Street, crossroads of King’s and Queen’s Squares
- Thursday 24th May, 1pm to 6pm, NWM marquee outside Matalan at Merry Hill shopping centre
People can also give their views at the Sandwell Public Transport Conference on Tuesday 29th May, between 10.30am and 4pm.
This is an all day public event at Sandwell Council House in Oldbury to bring together all public transport issues, ranging from rail, Metro, bus and Complementary Travel (Ring & Ride/Community Transport).
Views can also be expressed online at www.networkwestmidlands.com/busreview www.facebook.com/networkwestmidlands and www.twitter.com/networkwm
They can be sent by post to Customer Relations, Centro House, 16 Summer Lane, Birmingham, B16 3SD. Users can also leave their contact details with Centro at this address and updates will be provided.
All comments and views must be received by Centro by May 30.
Information leaflets about the review are to be distributed to more than 120,000 households across Sandwell.
Other publicity will include notices inside buses, posters at key locations, local newspaper advertising and information online.
A series of information exhibitions will then be held in Autumn 2012 outlining the changes to the network.
The review is the latest in a number that have taken place across the West Midlands including Wolverhampton and west Walsall, Coventry, Dudley, south Solihull, south Birmingham, north Walsall and west Birmingham.
They have produced a string of benefits for passengers including:
- New and improved bus shelters with up-to-date information at every stop
- Improved links to key shopping destinations
- New services on roads that have never had a bus before or have had their bus withdrawn
- More buses with turn up and go timetables on main roads
- New and refurbished vehicles
- Highways improvements to help buses beat the traffic
- More electronic bus stop displays and Real Time information
- Customer care training for drivers
- Enhanced safety and security measures both at stops and on the bus
Mr Rhodes said: “Key in all this is the contribution of the public. I would urge all bus users in Sandwell to take part in the review consultation and tell us what they think.”
