Diamond have been awarded a new contract to continue running the 2L service between Ludlow and Kidderminster.
It is good news that the service is continuing. This is a vital service for people who live on Clee Hill to get into Ludlow for shopping, hospital appointments and education. Many people use the 2L to go shopping in Kidderminster. Others, including myself, use the service to head out to go walking or to return with tired legs from a walk.
Mike Knott, Transport Planning & Review Team Leader at Worcestershire County Council, gives the details:
Service 2L is partially subsidised by Worcestershire and Shropshire County Councils. We have recently undertaken a competitive tendering exercise for the off-peak service and this has now been awarded in accordance with our standard procurement procedures to Diamond Bus, after consultation with Shropshire County Council.
The new contract and revised timetable will commence on 1st September 2015. We shall monitor the operation of the contracted journeys as closely as our resources permit and then in conjunction with Shropshire County Council we will review the service in the Spring of 2016.
Not everyone will be happy with the decision to allow Diamond to retain the contract. Several people have complained to me about unreliability and breakdowns. Both Shropshire and Worcestershire councils are aware that there have been problems. Diamond has, to the best of my knowledge, addressed these problems. But if the service doesn’t run reliably, I am sure you will let me know.
A thought on buses….The “New Horizons” probe travelled for nine and a half years over three billion miles and was 72 seconds early……..My bus came from a mile and a half away and was 10 minutes late !!!!