A2Z Travel Bus Route 331
Encyclopedia
The 331, 332 & 549 were three bus route operating in the Walsall
area of the West Midlands
, England
.
The routes linked Walsall
with Lodge Farm
via The Manor Hospital, Alumwell
and Bentley
. The 331 then extended to Willenhall and the 549 to Wolverhampton
via New Cross Hospital
.
The 331 was withdrawn in April 2010, the 549 in September 2010 with the 332 going in April 2011.
Within the space of ten years the frequency of the 331 route changed from up to every 10 minutes to not operating at all for a period of time, to having an hourly service and then being withdrawn again.
Walsall
Walsall is a large industrial town in the West Midlands of England. It is located northwest of Birmingham and east of Wolverhampton. Historically a part of Staffordshire, Walsall is a component area of the West Midlands conurbation and part of the Black Country.Walsall is the administrative...
area of the West Midlands
West Midlands (county)
The West Midlands is a metropolitan county in western central England with a 2009 estimated population of 2,638,700. It came into existence as a metropolitan county in 1974 after the passage of the Local Government Act 1972, formed from parts of Staffordshire, Worcestershire and Warwickshire. The...
, England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
.
The routes linked Walsall
Walsall
Walsall is a large industrial town in the West Midlands of England. It is located northwest of Birmingham and east of Wolverhampton. Historically a part of Staffordshire, Walsall is a component area of the West Midlands conurbation and part of the Black Country.Walsall is the administrative...
with Lodge Farm
Lodge Farm
The Lodge Farm estate is located in the area of Short Heath in the town of Willenhall, which is in the Metropolitan Borough of Walsall.The estate is centred primarily within the interior loop of Stroud Avenue. It comprises mainly current and former council properties and a smaller number of more...
via The Manor Hospital, Alumwell
Alumwell
Alumwell is a suburb on the west side of Walsall, in the West Midlands of England. The area is home to Walsall's Manor Hospital. The neighbourhood is adjacent to the M6 and can be seen from the motorway by passing drivers. The neighbourhood is by a primary and secondary school. Most of the houses...
and Bentley
Bentley
Bentley Motors Limited is a British manufacturer of automobiles founded on 18 January 1919 by Walter Owen Bentley known as W.O. Bentley or just "W O". Bentley had been previously known for his range of rotary aero-engines in World War I, the most famous being the Bentley BR1 as used in later...
. The 331 then extended to Willenhall and the 549 to Wolverhampton
Wolverhampton
Wolverhampton is a city and metropolitan borough in the West Midlands, England. For Eurostat purposes Walsall and Wolverhampton is a NUTS 3 region and is one of five boroughs or unitary districts that comprise the "West Midlands" NUTS 2 region...
via New Cross Hospital
New Cross Hospital
New Cross Hospital is a hospital in Wolverhampton, West Midlands, England. It is located to the east of the city centre in Wednesfield....
.
The 331 was withdrawn in April 2010, the 549 in September 2010 with the 332 going in April 2011.
History
- 1987 - Midland RedMidland RedMidland Red was a bus company which operated in the English Midlands from 1905 to 1981. It was the trading name used by the Birmingham and Midland Motor Omnibus Company , which was renamed Midland Red Omnibus Company in 1974...
North and Central Coachways both operate service 330 from Walsall Bus Station Bradford Place to Lodge FarmLodge FarmThe Lodge Farm estate is located in the area of Short Heath in the town of Willenhall, which is in the Metropolitan Borough of Walsall.The estate is centred primarily within the interior loop of Stroud Avenue. It comprises mainly current and former council properties and a smaller number of more...
at very regular frequencys via The Manor Hospital & BentleyBentleyBentley Motors Limited is a British manufacturer of automobiles founded on 18 January 1919 by Walter Owen Bentley known as W.O. Bentley or just "W O". Bentley had been previously known for his range of rotary aero-engines in World War I, the most famous being the Bentley BR1 as used in later...
. This service eventually ended up being operated by West Midlands Travel before being withdrawn altogether between 1994 & 1998 and replaced by the 331/A. - Pre-1998 - Travel West Midlands operated service 331 between WalsallWalsallWalsall is a large industrial town in the West Midlands of England. It is located northwest of Birmingham and east of Wolverhampton. Historically a part of Staffordshire, Walsall is a component area of the West Midlands conurbation and part of the Black Country.Walsall is the administrative...
and WillenhallWillenhallWillenhall is a town in the Black Country area of the West Midlands of England, with a population of approximately 40,000. It is situated between Wolverhampton and Walsall, historically in the county of Staffordshire...
at a twenty minute frequency. Additionally, they also operated service 331A which followed near enough the same route as the 331, but terminated on the Lodge FarmLodge FarmThe Lodge Farm estate is located in the area of Short Heath in the town of Willenhall, which is in the Metropolitan Borough of Walsall.The estate is centred primarily within the interior loop of Stroud Avenue. It comprises mainly current and former council properties and a smaller number of more...
estate, circuling Stroud Avenue also at a twenty minute frequency. Both services run Monday - Saturday daytime. During evenings and on Sunday, an hourly service 332 also operated between WalsallWalsallWalsall is a large industrial town in the West Midlands of England. It is located northwest of Birmingham and east of Wolverhampton. Historically a part of Staffordshire, Walsall is a component area of the West Midlands conurbation and part of the Black Country.Walsall is the administrative...
and Lodge FarmLodge FarmThe Lodge Farm estate is located in the area of Short Heath in the town of Willenhall, which is in the Metropolitan Borough of Walsall.The estate is centred primarily within the interior loop of Stroud Avenue. It comprises mainly current and former council properties and a smaller number of more...
. - 1999 - Travel West Midlands withdrew its service 331A. The 331s frequency was changed to every 15 minutes.
- 2002 - The early Saturday morning frequency is reduced to half hourly on the 331, whilst the 332 is extended to WillenhallWillenhallWillenhall is a town in the Black Country area of the West Midlands of England, with a population of approximately 40,000. It is situated between Wolverhampton and Walsall, historically in the county of Staffordshire...
from Lodge FarmLodge FarmThe Lodge Farm estate is located in the area of Short Heath in the town of Willenhall, which is in the Metropolitan Borough of Walsall.The estate is centred primarily within the interior loop of Stroud Avenue. It comprises mainly current and former council properties and a smaller number of more...
. - 2003 - Travel West Midlands start operating a Monday - Saturday evening service on the 331 at a fifteen minute frequency. The Saturday early morning frequency is increased again to every 15 minutes.
- 2004 - The evening service is withdrawn on the 331 route.
- 2005 - A2Z TravelA2Z TravelA2Z Travel was a diversified transportation company operating mainly in the Walsall and Wolverhampton areas of the West Midlands in west central England, also providing some bus services in South Staffordshire and Birmingham...
begin operations on the 331 between WalsallWalsallWalsall is a large industrial town in the West Midlands of England. It is located northwest of Birmingham and east of Wolverhampton. Historically a part of Staffordshire, Walsall is a component area of the West Midlands conurbation and part of the Black Country.Walsall is the administrative...
and WillenhallWillenhallWillenhall is a town in the Black Country area of the West Midlands of England, with a population of approximately 40,000. It is situated between Wolverhampton and Walsall, historically in the county of Staffordshire...
. - 2005 - Travel West Midlands reduce the frequency on the 331 to every 20 minutes.
- 2006 - Travel West Midlands further reduce the frequency on the 331 to every 30 minutes. Additionally, A2Z TravelA2Z TravelA2Z Travel was a diversified transportation company operating mainly in the Walsall and Wolverhampton areas of the West Midlands in west central England, also providing some bus services in South Staffordshire and Birmingham...
withdraw their Saturday journeys on the route, whilst the 332 is once again shortened to terminate at Lodge FarmLodge FarmThe Lodge Farm estate is located in the area of Short Heath in the town of Willenhall, which is in the Metropolitan Borough of Walsall.The estate is centred primarily within the interior loop of Stroud Avenue. It comprises mainly current and former council properties and a smaller number of more...
. - January 2007 - A2Z TravelA2Z TravelA2Z Travel was a diversified transportation company operating mainly in the Walsall and Wolverhampton areas of the West Midlands in west central England, also providing some bus services in South Staffordshire and Birmingham...
announce plans to withdraw off the 331 from the end of the month. This is because they are to take over Banga Travel services as their licence was revoked from this date. However, at the last minute, Banga decide to appeal and as such can continue operating their services, meaning A2Z TravelA2Z TravelA2Z Travel was a diversified transportation company operating mainly in the Walsall and Wolverhampton areas of the West Midlands in west central England, also providing some bus services in South Staffordshire and Birmingham...
continue operating the 331. - July 2007 - Travel West Midlands significantly alter the 331 route so that it now terminates at Lodge FarmLodge FarmThe Lodge Farm estate is located in the area of Short Heath in the town of Willenhall, which is in the Metropolitan Borough of Walsall.The estate is centred primarily within the interior loop of Stroud Avenue. It comprises mainly current and former council properties and a smaller number of more...
and misses out AlumwellAlumwellAlumwell is a suburb on the west side of Walsall, in the West Midlands of England. The area is home to Walsall's Manor Hospital. The neighbourhood is adjacent to the M6 and can be seen from the motorway by passing drivers. The neighbourhood is by a primary and secondary school. Most of the houses...
and the Manor Hospital. This service leaves Walsall from Stand J, whereas previously all services to or via Lodge Farm left from Stand P. - November 2007 - Travel West Midlands withdraw off the 331. As such, A2Z TravelA2Z TravelA2Z Travel was a diversified transportation company operating mainly in the Walsall and Wolverhampton areas of the West Midlands in west central England, also providing some bus services in South Staffordshire and Birmingham...
, who had regularly not operated their scheduled services on the route in the past year, began operating when they were supposed to and also reintroduced Saturday bus journeys. - May 2008 - A2Z TravelA2Z TravelA2Z Travel was a diversified transportation company operating mainly in the Walsall and Wolverhampton areas of the West Midlands in west central England, also providing some bus services in South Staffordshire and Birmingham...
withdraw their Saturday services. - 31 March 2009 - After losing their licence, A2Z TravelA2Z TravelA2Z Travel was a diversified transportation company operating mainly in the Walsall and Wolverhampton areas of the West Midlands in west central England, also providing some bus services in South Staffordshire and Birmingham...
withdraw off the 331. The service is one of only three of the companies services not being replaced. - 31 June 2009 - National Express West MidlandsNational Express West MidlandsNational Express West Midlands , formerly known as Travel West Midlands , is the trade name of West Midlands Travel Ltd , a company which operates bus services from depots in the cities of Birmingham, and Wolverhampton, as well as the boroughs of Dudley, Sandwell, Solihull and Walsall in the West...
withdraw off the 332 due to a lack of patronage. CentroWest Midlands Passenger Transport ExecutiveThe West Midlands Passenger Transport Executive , sometimes known as Centro, is a local government organisation responsible for certain transport services in the West Midlands county in England....
put the route to tender, with Diamond BusDiamond BusDiamond is a bus operator in the West Midlands, formed in 1986 as The Birmingham Coach Company.-Birmingham Coach Company:The company was created in 1986 as the Birmingham Coach Company operating a single route, 16, in competition with West Midlands Travel....
winning the contract. - 25 October 2009 - After months of campaigning by local councillors and residents, Central Buses relaunch the 331 service commercially between 9am and 3pm on Weekdays only.
- 1 March 2010 - MidlandChoice TravelMidland, previously known as Choice Travel is a limited bus company operating mostly in the Wolverhampton area of the West Midlands. Some services also operate in the Staffordshire area.-History:...
introduce brand new service 549, following the 331 route between WalsallWalsallWalsall is a large industrial town in the West Midlands of England. It is located northwest of Birmingham and east of Wolverhampton. Historically a part of Staffordshire, Walsall is a component area of the West Midlands conurbation and part of the Black Country.Walsall is the administrative...
and Lodge FarmLodge FarmThe Lodge Farm estate is located in the area of Short Heath in the town of Willenhall, which is in the Metropolitan Borough of Walsall.The estate is centred primarily within the interior loop of Stroud Avenue. It comprises mainly current and former council properties and a smaller number of more...
, from where it extends to WolverhamptonWolverhamptonWolverhampton is a city and metropolitan borough in the West Midlands, England. For Eurostat purposes Walsall and Wolverhampton is a NUTS 3 region and is one of five boroughs or unitary districts that comprise the "West Midlands" NUTS 2 region...
via Pool Hayes, WednesfieldWednesfieldWednesfield lies at , and is located to the northeast of Wolverhampton city centre on the northern fringe of the West Midlands conurbation...
, New Cross HospitalNew Cross HospitalNew Cross Hospital is a hospital in Wolverhampton, West Midlands, England. It is located to the east of the city centre in Wednesfield....
& Heath TownHeath TownHeath Town is a district of Wolverhampton, West Midlands, England, located ENE of the city centre. It is also a ward of Wolverhampton City Council. The ward forms part of the Wolverhampton North East constituency....
. This service runs every half hour Monday - Saturday between 8am and 6pm using branded Dennis DartDennis DartThe Dennis Dart is a rear-engined midibus built by Dennis in the United Kingdom. More than 11,000 were built during 18 years of production....
buses. Prior to its launch, a free round-trip was operated on 26 February and extensive advertising was published in the local press. For the first week of operation, adults were introduced on to the service for £1 per journey, 50p children. - 23 April 2010 - Central BusesCentral BusesCentral Buses is a bus company based in Birmingham, West Midlands, England, and operating services in the Birmingham and neighbouring Black Country and Warwickshire area's. Founded in 2003, the company has a fleet of 19 buses, which consists of fifteen Dennis Dart SLF single deck vehicles...
withdraw off service 331. From the same date, MidlandChoice TravelMidland, previously known as Choice Travel is a limited bus company operating mostly in the Wolverhampton area of the West Midlands. Some services also operate in the Staffordshire area.-History:...
reroute the 549 to serve the whole of Stroud Avenue in Lodge FarmLodge FarmThe Lodge Farm estate is located in the area of Short Heath in the town of Willenhall, which is in the Metropolitan Borough of Walsall.The estate is centred primarily within the interior loop of Stroud Avenue. It comprises mainly current and former council properties and a smaller number of more...
. - June 2010 - MidlandChoice TravelMidland, previously known as Choice Travel is a limited bus company operating mostly in the Wolverhampton area of the West Midlands. Some services also operate in the Staffordshire area.-History:...
shorten the 549 route so it terminates at Lodge FarmLodge FarmThe Lodge Farm estate is located in the area of Short Heath in the town of Willenhall, which is in the Metropolitan Borough of Walsall.The estate is centred primarily within the interior loop of Stroud Avenue. It comprises mainly current and former council properties and a smaller number of more...
, with the section of route to WolverhamptonWolverhamptonWolverhampton is a city and metropolitan borough in the West Midlands, England. For Eurostat purposes Walsall and Wolverhampton is a NUTS 3 region and is one of five boroughs or unitary districts that comprise the "West Midlands" NUTS 2 region...
, WednesfieldWednesfieldWednesfield lies at , and is located to the northeast of Wolverhampton city centre on the northern fringe of the West Midlands conurbation...
and New Cross Hospital being withdrawn. - September 2010 - The 549 service is completely withdrawn, once again the original 331 route is without an operator.
- 24 April 2011 - The 332 service is withdrawn after Centro scrap the funding in favour of a half-hourly 335 service between WalsallWalsallWalsall is a large industrial town in the West Midlands of England. It is located northwest of Birmingham and east of Wolverhampton. Historically a part of Staffordshire, Walsall is a component area of the West Midlands conurbation and part of the Black Country.Walsall is the administrative...
and AlumwellAlumwellAlumwell is a suburb on the west side of Walsall, in the West Midlands of England. The area is home to Walsall's Manor Hospital. The neighbourhood is adjacent to the M6 and can be seen from the motorway by passing drivers. The neighbourhood is by a primary and secondary school. Most of the houses...
only.
Within the space of ten years the frequency of the 331 route changed from up to every 10 minutes to not operating at all for a period of time, to having an hourly service and then being withdrawn again.
331 (Now Withdrawn)
- WalsallWalsallWalsall is a large industrial town in the West Midlands of England. It is located northwest of Birmingham and east of Wolverhampton. Historically a part of Staffordshire, Walsall is a component area of the West Midlands conurbation and part of the Black Country.Walsall is the administrative...
Town Centre - Manor Hospital
- AlumwellAlumwellAlumwell is a suburb on the west side of Walsall, in the West Midlands of England. The area is home to Walsall's Manor Hospital. The neighbourhood is adjacent to the M6 and can be seen from the motorway by passing drivers. The neighbourhood is by a primary and secondary school. Most of the houses...
- BentleyBentleyBentley Motors Limited is a British manufacturer of automobiles founded on 18 January 1919 by Walter Owen Bentley known as W.O. Bentley or just "W O". Bentley had been previously known for his range of rotary aero-engines in World War I, the most famous being the Bentley BR1 as used in later...
- Lodge FarmLodge FarmThe Lodge Farm estate is located in the area of Short Heath in the town of Willenhall, which is in the Metropolitan Borough of Walsall.The estate is centred primarily within the interior loop of Stroud Avenue. It comprises mainly current and former council properties and a smaller number of more...
- WillenhallWillenhallWillenhall is a town in the Black Country area of the West Midlands of England, with a population of approximately 40,000. It is situated between Wolverhampton and Walsall, historically in the county of Staffordshire...
332 (Now withdrawn)
- WalsallWalsallWalsall is a large industrial town in the West Midlands of England. It is located northwest of Birmingham and east of Wolverhampton. Historically a part of Staffordshire, Walsall is a component area of the West Midlands conurbation and part of the Black Country.Walsall is the administrative...
Town Centre - Manor Hospital
- AlumwellAlumwellAlumwell is a suburb on the west side of Walsall, in the West Midlands of England. The area is home to Walsall's Manor Hospital. The neighbourhood is adjacent to the M6 and can be seen from the motorway by passing drivers. The neighbourhood is by a primary and secondary school. Most of the houses...
- BentleyBentleyBentley Motors Limited is a British manufacturer of automobiles founded on 18 January 1919 by Walter Owen Bentley known as W.O. Bentley or just "W O". Bentley had been previously known for his range of rotary aero-engines in World War I, the most famous being the Bentley BR1 as used in later...
- Lodge FarmLodge FarmThe Lodge Farm estate is located in the area of Short Heath in the town of Willenhall, which is in the Metropolitan Borough of Walsall.The estate is centred primarily within the interior loop of Stroud Avenue. It comprises mainly current and former council properties and a smaller number of more...
549 (Now Withdrawn)
- WalsallWalsallWalsall is a large industrial town in the West Midlands of England. It is located northwest of Birmingham and east of Wolverhampton. Historically a part of Staffordshire, Walsall is a component area of the West Midlands conurbation and part of the Black Country.Walsall is the administrative...
Town Centre - Manor Hospital
- AlumwellAlumwellAlumwell is a suburb on the west side of Walsall, in the West Midlands of England. The area is home to Walsall's Manor Hospital. The neighbourhood is adjacent to the M6 and can be seen from the motorway by passing drivers. The neighbourhood is by a primary and secondary school. Most of the houses...
- BentleyBentleyBentley Motors Limited is a British manufacturer of automobiles founded on 18 January 1919 by Walter Owen Bentley known as W.O. Bentley or just "W O". Bentley had been previously known for his range of rotary aero-engines in World War I, the most famous being the Bentley BR1 as used in later...
- Lodge FarmLodge FarmThe Lodge Farm estate is located in the area of Short Heath in the town of Willenhall, which is in the Metropolitan Borough of Walsall.The estate is centred primarily within the interior loop of Stroud Avenue. It comprises mainly current and former council properties and a smaller number of more...
- Pool Hayes
- WednesfieldWednesfieldWednesfield lies at , and is located to the northeast of Wolverhampton city centre on the northern fringe of the West Midlands conurbation...
- New Cross Hospital
- Heath TownHeath TownHeath Town is a district of Wolverhampton, West Midlands, England, located ENE of the city centre. It is also a ward of Wolverhampton City Council. The ward forms part of the Wolverhampton North East constituency....
- WolverhamptonWolverhamptonWolverhampton is a city and metropolitan borough in the West Midlands, England. For Eurostat purposes Walsall and Wolverhampton is a NUTS 3 region and is one of five boroughs or unitary districts that comprise the "West Midlands" NUTS 2 region...
City Centre