National Express Coventry – 12X Platinum
National Express Coventry is hosting a bus network changes event for customers this coming Tuesday, 10th September.
During June and July the local bus operator held a public consultation on proposed changes to its routes from 22nd September this year. Following feedback from customers, community groups and councillors the agreed changes were announced last month.
Ahead of the changes coming into effect in two weeks’ time National Express is holding a customer pop-up event at Coventry Transport Museum from 10am to 6pm on Tuesday.
Chris Gibbens, Commercial Director of National Express Bus, said: “To help our loyal and new customers understand the upcoming route changes we’ll be holding an event outside Coventry Transport Museum this Tuesday.
“While our network has remained relatively unchanged since 2012, the local population and demand for bus services has. We also need to consider the upcoming changes in and around the city.
“Most customers will see an improvement to their service with more punctual and frequent buses. Where journeys involve a change of bus we’ve worked hard to better coordinate our services to make it simpler and easier for our customers.
“We’ll be outside the Transport Museum from 10am to 6pm ready to answer any questions and hand out new timetables and leaflets about the changes. One of our new Platinum buses will also be there for customers to experience, as well as all the latest information about our ticket offers that are available.
“We very much look forward to being able to support our customers with these new and improved network changes.”
Around 1,500 customers, staff and stakeholders took part in National Express Coventry’s public consultation survey, with an additional few hundred individual comments.
85% of those that took part said buses should serve Eagle Street to cater for the faith, community and health centres. National Express Coventry is introducing a new 3 and 3A service along Eagle Street and Springfield Road.
92% were in favour of running more buses at peak times on the 5 and 7 through Coundon. More peak buses will be introduced and the service will be better coordinated during off-peak periods to reduce customer waiting time.
86% said they would like the 8 and 8A to run along Corporation Street in both directions. National Express Coventry is changing the route in line with this feedback.
71% thought it would be good to have a direct link between Holbrooks and Coventry rail station. The road layout at the rail station is changing in November so National Express is delaying the change to allow time to assess how the new road layout works.
Many asked for the proposed city centre route change to be reconsidered and for more buses to reduce overcrowding between Earlsdon, the University and Kenilworth. Based on the feedback received the 11 will remain on its current route from the rail station to Pool Meadow and the frequency will be increased from Coventry to the University and on to Kenilworth and Leamington.
Other main benefits of the changes are:
- Buses will run more often to Allesley, Bell Green, Brownshill Green, Canley, Cheylesmore, Coundon, Earlsdon, Fargo Village, Hillfields, Holbrooks, Kenilworth, Keresley, Kirby Corner, Leamington Spa, Spon End, Tile Hill, University of Warwick, Westwood Park, Willenhall and Wood End
- Improved evening and Sunday services for Canley, Cheylesmore, Coundon, Hillfields and Holbrooks
- Extra early morning buses on Saturdays for many areas
- Some routes benefit from extra Sunday morning buses
- New direct link from Hillfields to University Hospital
- New direct link from Allesley Park to University Hospital
- New daytime service to Westwood Business Park from Coventry city centre and rail station
- New direct links from Allesley Park and Canley to University Hospital
The disadvantages for a small number of customers are:
- Some direct links across the city centre will change, so some people may have to change buses in the city centre
- Buses will run slightly less often to Allesley Park and some parts of Binley to help improve reliability
Full details of the upcoming changes are available online at: www.nxbus.co.uk/coventry. Printed copies of leaflets and timetables will be available during the event on Tuesday. It is being held from 10am to 6pm outside Coventry Transport Museum, Millennium Place, Hales Street.
