An improved Solihull bus network with routes to support the local economy and make it easier for people to take jobs was introduced at the weekend (Sunday 24 February).
The new network follows a public consultation held last October which saw more than 1,300 individual responses, helping to shape routes and frequencies.
Transport for West Midlands (TfWM), part of the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) is providing funding to pay for new services to key employment sites including the Blythe Valley Business Park and the Jaguar Land Rover site at Fen End.
Both sites, which employ hundreds of people, have not had regular and convenient public transport on a consistent basis during recent years.
Mayor of the West Midlands Andy Street said: “The new network is a good example of how we can step in and subsidise services that can make a real difference to people’s lives making it easier for them to get to where jobs are available.
The new TfWM subsidised routes will see Elmdon-based Landflight run two services to Blythe Valley while Henley-in-Arden based Johnsons will operate the 87 and 88 to Fen End.
Winning the contract to run the new services on behalf of TfWM has seen Land Flight take on 24 new
drivers locally.
Cllr Bob Sleigh OBE leader of Solihull Council joined the Mayor in meeting up with Danny Matthews Director of Business Development at Land Flight ahead of the new services taking to the road.
Cllr Sleigh said: “Unfortunately places like Blythe Valley and Jaguar Land Rover at Fen End which are outside the urban area have not always enjoyed the best public transport.”
The sustainable travel team at Solihull Council will also be working with businesses based at Blythe Valley and with Jaguar Land Rover to help staff make smarter travel choices and take advantage of the new services.
Lewis Payne, Development Director at IM Properties which owns Blythe Valley, said: “We welcome the introduction of the new bus service to Blythe Valley Park.”
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