National Express West Midlands

Bus services in and around Brierley Hill, Dudley, Halesowen, Merry Hill and Stourbridge are changing. Together with Network West Midlands (Centro) we have reviewed our bus network to create routes that better meet passenger needs.

The aim is to create an easy to understand bus network that is designed for passengers, that provides easier access and improved co-ordination of services at bus stations and interchanges. This will build on the existing improvements that are already being delivered through the Network West Midlands initiative.

We are also looking to improve the frequency of some services, connect people to key destinations, simplify the network and improve links between services.

The new bus network will begin from the start of service on Sunday 27th April 2008. However, from March 2008 you will start to see flags and timetable information being changed at bus stops and shelters in Dudley, Halesowen, Merry Hill, Brierley Hill and Stourbridge. Your current bus will operate until end of service on Saturday 26th April 2008.

Details of changes to Travel West Midlands services are as follows:

Services 9, 19, 138 and 139:
There are minor timetable changes to services 9, 138 and 139.
Service 19 is withdrawn.

Service 120:
Minor changes to timetable.

Service 127:
This service will be replaced by service 258.

Service 140:
Sunday journeys are extended from Bearwood to Birmingham. The timetable is revised for Monday to Friday peaks, evenings and Sundays.

Service 205:
Extended to Russells Hall Hospital and Kingswinford replacing service 261. In conjunction with the new 208 (operated by Choice Travel), retimed evenings and Sundays and rerouted via Ashenhurst Road.

Services 206 and 207:
Timetable is revised.

Services 210 and 211:
Services 210 and 211 are withdrawn.

Service 222:
Additional early morning journeys are introduced and evening and Sunday journeys are retimed.

Services 236 and 237:
These services are withdrawn. For alternatives see services 223 (operated by Choice Travel), 297 and 297A.

Service 238:
Sunday daytime frequency is improved, buses will now run every 30 mins.

Service 241:
This service is retimed evenings and Sundays, in conjunction with service 140.

Service 243:
This service is operated in conjunction with Diamond Bus.
Additional early morning, evening and Sunday service introduced to replace services 245 and 249.

Service 244:
Re-routed via Coombs Wood and Old Hill Station. Now runs between Dudley and Halesowen.

Service 246:
Minor timetable changes.

Services 247, 247A, 248, 248A and 248C:
Current routes 247, 247A, 248, 248A and 248C are replaced by two routes:

242, 242A: Dudley - Cinder Bank- Netherton - Old Hill - Haden Hill - Halesowen - Fatherless Barn - Pedmore Fields - Oldswinford Cross - Stourbridge
Service 242 runs every 30 mins Monday to Saturday daytime and every 30 mins, in conjunction with service 242A during the evenings and on Sundays.

276: Dudley - Darby End - Merry Hill - Lye - Pedmore Fields - Junction Station - Stourbridge
Service 276 runs every 30 mins at all times.
The Merry Hill to Russells Hall Hospital section is replaced by service 297.

Service 249:
This service is withdrawn. See services 242 and 243.

Services 254 and 255:
New services replacing 260, 260A and 266.
New service will run from Wolverhampton to Merry Hill via Wombourne, Swindon (255), Wall Heath, Kingswinford and Tiled House Lane.
Both services operate every 30 mins, Monday to Saturday daytime and hourly Sunday daytime. Service 255 will run hourly in the evenings.
The current service 255 single journey between Gornal Wood and Dudley is withdrawn .

Service 256:
This service is operated in conjunction with Choice Travel.
Service 256 will run every 30 mins Monday to Saturday daytime and hourly evenings and Sundays.

Service 257:
Runs every 30 mins Monday to Saturday daytime and hourly evenings and Sundays and provides an improved 15 min frequency between Dudley and Gornal Wood with service 297.

Service 258:
Monday to Saturday daytime timetable is amended. Evenings and Sunday service introduced replacing 127.

Service 259:
New service from Stourbridge to Wall Heath running every 30 mins Monday to Saturday daytimes.

Services 260 and 260A:
These services are withdrawn, see services 254 and 255.

Service 261:
This service is replaced by service 205.

Services 264 and 265:
Services 264, 264A, 265, 265A, 274 and 275 are replaced by extension of service 226 from Kingswinford to Dudley via Pensnett and Russells Hall Hospital every 30 mins Monday to Saturday daytimes, hourly evenings and Sundays.
Between Merry Hill, Woodside and Dudley, the route is largely covered by service X96.
For Ashenhurst Road see service 205.

Service 270:
This service is withdrawn.

Services 274 and 275:
These services are withdrawn. For journeys between Merry Hill and Dudley via Pensnett they are replaced by service 226 and for journeys between Merry Hill and Dudley via Lodge Farm they are replaced by service 283.

Service 276:
Extended from Merry Hill to Stourbridge via Lye Cross and Pedmore running every 30 mins.
Merry Hill to Waterfront is no longer served.

Service 283:
New hourly evening and Sunday service between Dudley and Merry Hill.

Service 287:
This service is replaced by services X96 and 297.

Service 293:
Re-numbered X96, will operate Wollaston Farm, Stourbridge, Merry Hill to Dudley.

Services 294 and 295:
Operated in conjunction with Hansons.
Evening and Sunday journeys introduced replacing services 289 and 290.

Service 296:
This service is withdrawn. It is replaced by service X96 between Merry Hill and Stourbridge.

Services 297 and 297A:
Extended from Merry Hill to Dudley via Russells Hall Hospital, Pensnett and Gornal Wood.

Service 417:
Operated in conjunction with Ludlows.
No change to daytime service, hourly evening and Sunday service introduced replacing 609.

Services 541and 514A:
Minor timetable changes.

Service 544:
Operated in conjunction with Diamond Bus.
Timetable revised.

Service 545:
Re-timed evenings and Sundays.

Service 558:
Minor timetable changes.

Service 581:
Operated in conjunction with Diamond Bus.
Minor daytime timing changes.

Services 74, 87, 126, 311, 313, 404A, 636, 637, 688 :
No changes to these services

For details of changes to other operators services please see www.networkwestmidlands.co.uk/dudley

Exhibitions:

Centro and Travel West Midlands will be holding exhibitions to tell people about the changes to services. Please see details below:

Tue, 8th April from 12 midday - 4 p.m. Cornbow Centre, Halesowen (opposite Ponden Mill)
Thu, 10th April from 10 a.m. - 4 p.m Merry Hill Shopping Centre
Sat, 12th April from 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. Dudley Town Centre (Bus)
Wed, 16th April from 12 midday - 5 p.m. Russells Hall Hospital
Sat, 19th April from 9 a.m - 3 pm Stourbridge Town Centre (Marquee in Foster Street)