A COUNCILLORS campaign has revealed the fears and fury of residents as more public transport cuts lead to further reductions in local bus services.
Frankley’s Birmingham City Councillor, Simon Morrall, has launched a campaign to fight for re-extending National Express’ 27 bus route from Yardley Wood to Frankley after it was announced in November the service would no longer connect Frankley with Rubery and Longbridge.
Supporters of the campaign have emailed the councillor to express fears around longer journey times, reduced access to health services, a lack of access to Longbridge railway station, elderly relatives becoming isolated, and more.
Joanna Dervisoglu, a local campaigner in Rubery who relies on the service due to her disability, said: “With my disability it’s become even more difficult. Having the 27 cut back will leave myself unable to get to my volunteering role without long waits to change buses at Arden Road.
“This also means no direct bus down to Longbridge for the train and shopping centre. I’ve had to get a taxi the majority of the time as buses run late and I can’t stand for too long.”
Coun Morrall has expressed his appreciation for people’s support, which will form his arguments at a prospective meeting with the Mayor of the West Midlands, Andy Street and Transport for the West Midlands.
He added: ” I assure you all of them will be put in front of the right people to reiterate the distress this is causing people.”
Coun Morrall has previously been successful in a 2019 campaign to save the 61 bus service in Frankley and also helped extend the 27 service after fears the 49 route would be cut.
One resident, David Rouen, expressed his frustration at Frankley being consistently targeted for bus route cut backs.
David Rouen added: “Why is it that Frankley looses so many bus routes. The 49 used to go round Frankley. Now they are taking the 27 off.”
Sam George, who’s elderly parents live in Rubery, fears they will become isolated due to the service no longer giving them access to Rubery and Longbridge to see relatives.
She added: “The bus route terminating in Frankley will have a major impact with my parents regular visits to the GP surgery.
“Also with the cost of living being extremely high they wouldn’t be able to afford taxis to & from Rubery on a regular basis.”
