National Express West Midlands has noticed an increase in passenger numbers despite cutting 60 bus stops from its services, BirminghamLive has reported.
Despite facing criticism from the public for reducing the number of stops, the operator has reported that journey times have fallen and passenger numbers have increased since the stops were cut.
A trial scheme began in 2017 to reduce the number of stops, which was supported by Transport for the West Midlands, with the principal aim being to cut journey times.
At the time, businesses in Northfield launched a petition against the plans, and MPs also criticised the move.
However, according to the operator, its Circle 8 route has since experienced a 1% increase in ridership – representing 1,700 additional journeys each week.
Prior to the changes, passenger numbers had been falling at around 5% every month.
Meanwhile, route 50 saw 0.4% ridership growth (an extra 1,100 weekly journeys), defying the current national trend of falling passenger numbers.
Overall, 106,000 extra journeys were made during the six-month trial period. 32 bus stops have been permanently removed, while 18 have already been re-instated; the fate of the remaining 10 stops will be decided in the coming months.
