Bus changes to boost peak time services - The Worcester Observer

Bus changes to boost peak time services

Worcester Editorial 19th Oct, 2017   0

‘FASTER’ and ‘more frequent’ bus services have been introduced as part of wholesale changes to ‘reflect the needs’ of passengers travelling between Worcester and Malvern.

First Bus implemented the new and improved revisions to its timetable on Sunday to make commuting between the Faithful City and Malvern easier for passengers during peak times.

Chiefs confirmed there would be no reduction in services, adding the changes were introduced to make the timetables easier for commuters to understand.

Under the project the 44C has been scrapped and the 44A and 44B services have been renumbered to the X43 and X44 respectively.




The direct X43, which runs every 30 minutes from Worcester to Great Malvern via Malvern Vale, operates to and from Bromwich Road, Worcester, instead of St John’s and does not stop off at Malvern Retail Park and Barnards Green.

Meanwhile, the X44 from Worcester to Great Malvern via Barnards Green will provide a faster service during peak hours, again operating to and from Bromwich Road and not serving the retail park.


Customers in Malvern Vale and Malvern Link wanting to travel to the retail park have been reminded they can board services towards Great Malvern and then change onto the already existing 44 service to get to their destination.

Sarah East, head of operations for First Worcestershire, said: “I’m sure the new faster journeys that will run at peak times will be well received.

“We have also linked up the places people want to travel to within the local area, providing a frequent and attractive option for travel using the bus over other modes of transport, helping to reduce congestion and improve air quality in the area.”

Nigel Eggleton, First Midlands managing director of First Worcestershire, added:

“Changes have been made to our services to reflect the wants and needs of our passengers.

“We understand bus services provide some people with their only means of connecting with what the city of Worcester and other surrounding villages have to offer.”

He added for the services to remain sustainable they must be used, otherwise they would be scrapped.

“We advise local residents to help spread the word about these improvements to our services and continue to support them,” Mr Eggleton said.

Bosses at Worcestershire County Council have welcomed the service changes which will see buses equipped with Wi-Fi, USB points and audio-visual announcements for every stop.

Bus stops will also benefit from real-time information, allowing passengers to see exactly when their next service is due.

Coun Alan Amos, cabinet member for highways, welcomed the changes.

“These changes will provide a greater bus service for the city, allowing passengers greater flexibility with their travel plans.

“Bus users will be able to enjoy faster and more reliable journeys and in some areas increased level of services which are the most important factors to them,”he added.

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