Bus firm policy U-turn relief for pensioners

Pensioners were relieved today after National Express dropped a "ridiculous" policy forcing passengers to walk 300 yards across Wolverhampton to change buses.

Elderly shoppers hit out at having to get off the 503 service to Fordhouses at the art gallery in Lichfield Street where it terminates only to walk to Stafford Street to board it again where it officially starts.

City council leader Neville Patten said today: "Thank goodness common sense has prevailed. It was an absolutely ridiculous state of affairs."

Wolverhampton bus station the busiest in the West Midlands is currently closed for a £22.5 million redevelopment forcing the introduction of temporary stops throughout the city.

Councillor Patten continued: "I have been contacted by six or seven elderly people who were upset at their treatment. One of them was 92 years old and yet they were all made to make this unnecessary journey on foot.

"I could understand it if they were passengers who needed to buy tickets but they were all travelling on concessionary bus passes.

"They had come into the city on the 503 and got off in Darlington Street to do their shopping before the trip home. But they were then told to get off at the art gallery because the service terminated there, and were ordered to walk to Stafford Street and get on again because that is where it started."

Carly O'Donnell from National Express, said the art gallery stop had been designated as 'drop-off only' to avoid confusion for passengers, with buses set to chan-ge route or return to the garage after ending work.

She added: "The drivers were following this guideline. However, we have now instructed drivers to pick up at the art gallery, but remind passengers that services can end or change at Stafford Street."