Centro bus changes to benefit local residents

Buy photos » The bus lane under the Whittle Arches will see major changes in the new year. 44.010.058.cov.jg1

A NEW bus network in the city is set to provide more frequent services for passengers following a major public review, it has been revealed today.

The new network will see many changes to routes and timetables across the city when it comes into effect on February 26, after extensive consultation with the public by Centro in a bid to get more residents to travel by bus.

Hundreds of thousands of residents requested more frequent services and as a result more than 50% of bus customers in Coventry will now receive them.

Cheylesmore, Finham, Stivichall, Styvechale Grange, Tile Hill, Allesley, Coundon, Sewall Highway and Bell Green, Walsgrave Hospital and Ansty Road will all benefit as a result, and there will be improvements to Sunday and evening services.

There will also be investment in the bus network, including new vehicles, cleaning and monitoring of services, new infrastructure and Real Time Information, and better signage.

"The driving force for these changes is to make bus travel a more attractive option for existing and new customers," said Councillor Angus Adams, the chairman of Centro.

"We believe the new network will create long-term bus passenger growth through a simpler and easier to understand network in the city."

The changes have been carried out by Centro in partnership with Coventry City Council and bus operaters in the City and will coincide with cross-city links being created following multi-million pound works in the city centre’s Broadgate area.

Steve Hayes, Centro’s area manager for Coventry, added: "This simpler network will mean less route variants and fewer numbers, colour coded and better quality information, plus new maps and web services."

A leaflet explaining the changes will be delivered to all households in the city and more details can be found at networkwestmidlands.com/busreview