A BUS COMPANY terminating late running services is urging passengers to get in touch so they can be offered assistance, writes Neil Gordon.
Kev’s Cars and Coaches issued the advice after late running 147 Halesowen and 318 Stourbridge to Bromsgrove services were finishing at Bromsgrove bus station, rather than completing the full route to Aston Fields and the railway station, at the request of Worcestershire County Council.
This decision to terminate services has left some passengers waiting for buses which did not arrive.
Now, after meetings between the operator and the council, the decision whether to terminate at the bus station or carry on to the railway station will be taken by the drivers.
The company said the delays to services had been caused by roadworks on the Stourbridge Road, by Barnsley Hall Hospital. That leads to drivers having to decide whether or not to terminate services early at the bus station and return straight back to Halesowen or Stourbridge, or continue on to Bromsgrove railway station and risk further delay from the A38 BREP Scheme works.
A Kev’s Cars and Coaches spokesperson said: “We are aware some passengers have been waiting for 147 and 318 services between Bromsgrove and Aston Fields, unaware the service had been terminated.
“We now encourage passengers along that section to telephone our office so we can let the driver know they are waiting.
“We will then look to complete the full timetabled route, even if this results in further delay.
“Alternatively, we can offer them advice.”
Picture by Neil Gordon Media. s
Further disruption to 147 and 318 services is expected from Monday (July 21) with the planned one-way closure of Regents Park Road from Oakalls Island.
It has been suggested traffic lights on Regents Park Road could have been used to avoid the closure.
Coun Karl Perks, Worcestershire County Council’s Cabinet Member with Responsibility for Highways and Transport, said: “We understand one-way closures can be frustrating and want to reassure people a range of options, including traffic lights, were considered for the Regents Park Road scheme.
“However, traffic signals were not taken forward due to safety and operational concerns, including increased congestion, the risk of traffic backing up onto the roundabout and reduced flexibility during changing site conditions.
“We recognise the impact on residents, businesses and road users and the one-way closure offers a safer, more consistent solution for everyone involved.”
Contacting Kev’s
Passengers needing to contact Kev’s Cars and Coaches regarding services to the railway station can either email: [email protected] or call 0121 457 9168 – from 6am to 5pm, Monday to Friday.
