Worcestershire County Highways has stepped in to save two routes which were about to be withdrawn by the operator, Diamond Buses.
Councillor Alan Amos, County Cabinet Member for Highways said:
“We have been working very hard to reprieve these services. I know they provide a vital link between Worcester and Kidderminster as well as serve a large number of smaller towns and villages. Students from the Sixth Form College and local and elderly people in particular depend on them to get about.
So, we have allocated funds to subsidise the routes and Diamond Buses will be re-instating them from Monday 8th June.
We will continue to monitor the services over the next few months, looking at passenger numbers and the potential effect of social distancing on the situation. We will be working with the bus operator to establish a longer-term solution for these services.
This is a good example of our new Passenger Transport Strategy in which the County Council is looking to provide a wide and reliable bus network throughout the county to meet the various needs of its residents and businesses.
Despite the temporary problems following Covid-19, we see buses as the only meaningful alternative to the car which is why, in this year’s budget, we put in the biggest-ever increase to the bus subsidy.”
In response to the announcement Cllr Nathan Desmond, County Councillor for St Marys said: “I’m delighted and relieved that these two important bus routes, to and from Worcester have been saved by WCC. They are both very important routes and I have had many emails and correspondence from local residents over the last few weeks expressing their worry and frustration that these routes were to be removed. So I know this decision will delight and reassure many bus users in Wyre Forest.”
Bewdley and Rock County Councillor Becky Vale who represents the residents for the 302 service stated “I am extremely pleased that Worcestershire County Council have stepped in to save the 302 bus route operated by Diamond Buses, as this important route was no longer commercially viable. The 302 bus connects Bewdley with Worcester 6th Form College and is a very important route. Thank you to Cabinet Member Alan Amos for listening to the appeals of Wyre Forest Conservative Councillors”.
