Mark Garnier met with the Chief Execute, Simon Dunn and Director Bob Baker of Diamond Buses on Thursday, to discuss the services within Wyre Forest and in particular the No 2 and 2A which travels between Bewdley and Kidderminster. Residents in Bewdley and on the Habberley Estate, where the service is now no longer serving, have raised concerns, directly with Mark. Due to low passenger numbers, which may be a direct response to a subsidised competitive service following the same route from Ludlow to Kidderminster via Bewdley , Diamond Buses have had to make a commercial decision for their business. In August timetable changes were announced and a period of review until the end of September to see if a redirected service increased the viability on this route.
Mark is pleased to announce that further to the meeting yesterday, Diamond Buses have offered to seek to extend the service for an additional 4 weeks. During this extended time Mark will be working with Diamond Buses and seeking advice from the County Council on ensuring viable routes for the benefit of our community. It is currently understood from a representative at Worcester County Council that that Wyre Forest Dial a Ride will be operating a community bus two days a week through the area of Habberley.
Mark said: “After meeting with some Habberley residents affected by the route change, I listened to their concerns as buses provide a valuable life line for shopping, accessing health care and public services and therefore reducing one of the major concerns in later years of isolation.”
