Arriva vows no U-turn on controversial Telford bus changes
The company behind the introduction of much-criticised new bus routes in Telford today ruled out a U-turn – and claimed to have had positive feedback from customers using the new services.
Arriva Midlands said it was aware of a petition started by resident Lauren Haynes circulating on social media which has been signed by more than 1,000 people in a week.
It calls for the bus routes to be changed back to the way they were before this month's changes.
But Arriva spokesman Keith Myatt said that would not be happening.
Mr Myatt, head of business development and communications for Arriva, said: "We are aware of a petition on social media relating to the newly introduced network of local bus services in the Telford area.
"With the introduction of the new network many key corridors have seen an increase in frequency, along with new cross town links being introduced and more direct services between local centres and Telford Town Centre – feedback from customers has welcomed these new initiatives.
"Arriva Midlands welcomes feedback from customers and would advise anyone who has a comment, good or bad, to contact our customer services team."
It comes as people continued to have their say on the decision to make the wholesale changes to buses and routes.
Joan Jones, from Randlay, said she was due to get her bus pass next year but the new routes had left her facing a long walk.
She said: "Living in Randlay the new bus route just goes in a loop around Brookside and I can't now go to Madeley without going to the town centre first.
"I want to go straight to Madeley like I used to be able to without walking a mile first to catch the old 44."
Janet Bailey, from Telford, said the new buses simply did not "meet the public demand" while Hayley Bailey was equally critical when signing the petition.
"I caught the bus regularly to Donnington from Dawley," she said.
"The new routes take me nowhere near where I need to get to. After talking to some of the older generation, the new routes in Donnington mean they now have to get taxis to go to the doctors or shopping, as they can not tackle the hill to the nearest bus stop."
Complaints or compliments on the new bus service can be submitted online at arrivabus.co.uk or by calling 0344 800 44 11.
