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Proposed changes to Diamond services 002, 45, 226 and 4H from 15 April

Last updated 6 April 2023

Services 002, 45, 4H and 226 are operated commercially by Diamond Bus. This means that Diamond Bus sets the routes and manages the timetables for these services. 

What's happened? 

Diamond Bus previously advised that they were withdrawing the 002, 45 and 226 services from 15 April 2023.

They also informed us of changes to the 4H. 

Diamond Bus have now confirmed they are no longer withdrawing all four services.  

One service will be withdrawn, and the other three services will have timetable changes.  

What are the changes?

Previously Diamond Bus announced they would no longer operate this service on a Sunday. 

TfWM are now funding this service which will remain unchanged and will continue to be operated by Diamond Bus

This is a short-term arrangement which will last until October 2023 to allow further review of the service provision.

From 15 April 2023, Diamond Bus will be withdrawing Sunday services on this route.

TfWM are now funding this part of the service which will be provided by National Express West Midlands. 

The service will operate hourly on a Sunday daytime between Walsall and Hayley Green via Blackheath and Halesowen. 

This is a short-term arrangement which will last until October 2023 to allow further review of the service provision.

The service will remain the same from Monday to Saturday. 

Please check your service and ensure you have the correct ticket. If your route is multi-operator, please purchase an nbus ticket

Previously Diamond Bus announced they would no longer operate this service.

TfWM are now funding this service which will remain unchanged and will continue to be operated by Diamond Bus

This is a short-term arrangement which will last until October 2023 to allow further review of the service provision.

This is a key service in the Black Country, linking the Yew Tree areas and other communities to West Bromich and Walsall. We encourage passengers to use this service to help support it's future viability. 

From 15 April 2023, Diamond Bus will introduce some changes to this service:

  • On a Saturday, this service will run hourly instead of half-hourly
  • This service will no longer serve Wall Heath

Passengers for Wall Heath are advised to consider the following alternative services:

This service will remain the same from Monday to Friday.

How do we find an alternative way to run a bus service?

The main way we do this, is by inviting bus operators to apply to run the bus service on our behalf.  

This means that we specify the route and timetable, pay the running costs, and bus operators will apply, or 'bid', to manage the route.  

To determine if we are able to use public funds to support a bus service, we need to look at: 

  • why the route was withdrawn 
  • how many people use the service 
  • the alternative services that are available 
  • what the impact would be if the service wasn't available 
  • if the route qualifies for any funding 
  • how the route could be operated under the same or a different operator 
  • how much it would cost for us to run this route
  • the value for money of this route compared to other services we already support

How can I stay updated?

We will update this web page with any progress we make on alternative service provisions. 

We hope to share an update by the end of March 2023. 

You can also sign up for email updates.

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