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Agreeably surprised by the forthcoming changes to Monday - Friday 37 service from 26 January 2020. That horrible gap between 07-50 and 09-35 am has been filled with additional buses at 08-10 and 08-55 am, plus totally unexpected additional evening buses from Crowngate at 18-30 and 19-15 pm.

I just hope the improvements lead to better patronage following on from the marketing initiatives promised recently. Intending passengers now have a better choice of morning buses and can use the afternoon services safe in the knowledge that there is that 19-15 pm bus if they are delayed in the City.

Good to see a step in the right direction for a change, Let's hope this sticks!

Some positive news for a change.

AdamH wrote: ↑

13:07 Saturday 18th January 2020

Some positive news for a change.

Funded by the local authority according to this cryptic First Bus marketing message per attachment. I just wish it was accompanied by those marketing initiatives promised recently, the message needs to get through to those who work in the City that there is a reasonably viable service available now. I sincerely hope it is not just on a short term trial basis as it takes time to regain the faith of lost passengers.

Just a pity that First haven't come up with some decent fare deals and incentives for all (not just i-phone owners!). A regular, reliable and reasonably priced service will benefit everyone, better for passengers and increased revenue for the operator. However I feel that the ailing services are under the dark shadow of the 35, 44 and 144 'jewels' which seem to take the lion's share of marketing budget. Come on First prove me wrong.

https://www.firstgroup.com/worcestershi ... -monday-27

TimBrown wrote: ↑

08:42 Tuesday 21st January 2020

regular, reliable

Lets hope its both of those!

Surprising good news is that the 37 service will be free to all passengers on Saturdays during February 2020.

https://www.firstgroup.com/worcestershire

Please spread the word to car drivers, parents of young kids and everybody who travels from Ombersley Road into the City!

TimBrown wrote: ↑

14:24 Thursday 23rd January 2020

Surprising good news is that the 37 service will be free to all passengers on Saturdays during February 2020.

https://www.firstgroup.com/worcestershire

Please spread the word to car drivers, parents of young kids and everybody who travels from Ombersley Road into the City!

Things are really looking up; Andy Stafford is good as his word and this printed promotion was posted through my letterbox today. If Conservative supporters have done a full house drop around this area then they have done well. It only leaves First to follow suit with some special offers on Monday to Friday 37 buses and car owners will flock on to the buses - er hopefully!

Excellent and agree with your earlier comments Tim, needs as much pushing and advertising as possible. Not everyone checks the internet. Hopefully some bus stop flyers etc'

P.S: miss our chats putting the world to rights on the platform at Shrub Hill Tim.

Adam V wrote: ↑

14:56 Sunday 26th January 2020

Excellent and agree with your earlier comments Tim, needs as much pushing and advertising as possible. Not everyone checks the internet. Hopefully some bus stop flyers etc'

P.S: miss our chats putting the world to rights on the platform at Shrub Hill Tim.

There is a lot to put right just now Adam!

I see on First's website, the timetable for the 32S now shows arrival time at Green Lane as 16.08 instead of 16.01, and this is good because it's more realistic.

However, the bus then does a 37 back to Crowngate, and the latest 37 timetable still shows the departure time from Green Lane as 16.01 (So does the traveline timetable).

So, that results in people having a 7 minute wait at Green Lane or Northwick for the 37 to Crowngate, if the 32S finishes on time.

However ! -- there is the potential for the 32S arriving early at Green Lane (16.01) if conditions allow,
and First recently changed the 37 timetable format to a "there and back" layout, so does that mean the driver WILL depart from Green Lane at 16.01 if he/she can, (to get back to Crowngate ASAP), - or SHOULD he/she wait until 16.08 and should the "published" timetables modified ??
(Tim ?)

The next duty is then a 44 ( - which I think is good and sensible !)