Bus users in Coventry will benefit from additional links around the city as transport bosses fulfilled their promise to passengers.

Residents in Chapelfields will see extra services on the 49 bus service to Earlsdon and Coventry city centre from June 6.

The route was introduced in February as part of the comprehensive review of services in the city by Centro, the region’s transport authority, bus operators and Coventry City Council.

It is operated by West Midlands Special Needs Transport (WMSNT) with subsidy from Centro and partly replaces the former Number 1 service.

Steve Hayes, Centro area manager for Coventry and Solihull, said the extra services were the result of a pledge made at the time of the review.

He said: “With the introduction of any new network Centro always looks closely for areas where services can be improved once the buses actually start running.

“In this case we reviewed passenger numbers on different sections of the route over the last two months and listened to feedback from users.

“We have now asked WMSNT to concentrate resource on the section of route between Chapelfields, Earlsdon and the city centre, with the section of the route to Cannon Park being covered by a small change to the 47 service.”

The changes to the 49 will see an hourly service to Chapelfields during the day.

Centro have agreed to renumber the service ‘1’ as the route between Chapelfields and the city centre will be identical to the former service with that number.

Des Rogers, Operations Manager of WMSNT who operate the service on behalf of Centro said: “WMSNT are happy to assist Centro in the operation of the service 1 route and will employ promotional activities to ensure the service is successful and of value to local residents.”

Councillor Bally Singh, Whoberley ward member on Coventry City Council, said: "I congratulate Centro for listening to the views of local people and restoring the historic bus link between Earlsdon and Chapelfields."

As well as the additional journeys a Saturday service will also be introduced on the route, as well as on the 41 service to Stonehouse Estate in Whitley.

The new network came into effect on February 26 and saw many changes to routes and timetables across the city, providing many areas with more frequent services designed to get more of Coventry’s residents travelling by bus.

Centro worked in partnership with Coventry City Council and bus operators A Line, Blue Diamond, Johnsons, National Express West Midlands, Stagecoach and Travel De Courcey to conduct the comprehensive overhaul.

The new network reflects the new or altered cross-city links being created following multi-million pound works in the city centre’s Broadgate area by Coventry City Council.

It is supported by a partnership agreement between Centro, Coventry City Council and bus operators.

This pledges investment in the bus network, including new vehicles, cleaning and monitoring of services, new infrastructure and Real Time Information, and better signage.