Bus users are patiently awaiting the outcome of ongoing talks with National Express West Midlands (NXWN) about their controversial proposals for revised bus services across Willenhall.

There was a public outcry recently when NXWM announced plans to withdraw their 28 Willenhall to Wolverhampton and 40 Walsall to Wolverhampton services. At the same time they announced the withdrawal of the 41 Willenhall to Walsall service from the Allens Rough Estate, to be replaced by the 69 Walsall to Wolverhampton which in turn would not connect with The Square at New Invention and bypass the Wood Lane Estate in Short Heath.

Commenting on the issue Lib Dem Cllr Ian Shires said:

“One of the main issues here is that Walsall Council needs to change its attitude to public transport. The current Tory administration does not recognise the importance that it plays in helping to regenerate the borough and improving the environment in our town and District Centres. It’s common knowledge that the Leader of Walsall Council has said on many occasions that the best shopping trolley is a Mercedes Benz.”

There is a strong case for positive proactive partnerships or even bus franchising in order to protect local services and support strong economic growth through an integrated local transport policy. Franchising in particular already exists, 48% of buses across the UK are franchised. The only problem is that they are all red and are in and around London.

The evidence is clear, over the last 10 years bus journey’s made are up 31% in the London are whilst in Metropolitan areas such as Walsall they are down on average some 7% over the same period.

Increased regulatory powers could further cohesive transport services. In the London area, Transport For London (TFL) sets the routes, the frequencies, fares and vehicle types. The bus operators compete with each other by tendering to run the routes. Outside of London, in extreme cases, rival buses race each other on the busier routes (services like the 301 spring to mind) whilst the quieter routes languish unserved. This all came about following deregulation of bus services outside of the London area in 1985.