CONTROVERSIAL plans to axe a Kidderminster bus service could still go ahead despite some improvements being made, bosses have warned.

Diamond Bus confirmed the reliability of the number 2/2A routes had improved since they implemented a series of changes on September 2 in the wake of stinging criticism over punctuality.

But the operator said they were still making financial losses and would continue monitoring performance over the next week before making a final decision.

Diamond introduced a raft of changes to services as a response to a damning report by the Traffic Commissioner Nick Denton, who held a public inquiry into the company’s reliability following a string of complaints from fed-up passengers.

One of the main changes was for the number 2 to no longer serve the Habberley estate. They also said they would monitor user numbers and, if there had been no improvement, the service would be scrapped altogether.

Passengers and councillors across all parties reacted with anger at the plans and a number of petitions with hundreds of signatures have been submitted in an effort to save it.

The company said it was committed to try to make the service work and is still encouraging people to come forward with views by Thursday (September 20).

A Diamond Bus spokesman said: “Following close monitoring of the 2/2A services over the first two weeks of September, our internal monitoring and feedback is that the service is now more reliable.

“Whilst we understand that the decision to remove the service from the Habberley estate has caused some inconvenience to residents, this has substantially reduced the losses incurred on the route.

"However, at present the service is still a loss making and its future still under consideration. We intend to give the service another week of monitoring before we decide what happens next. 

“Should the decision to remove the service fully be made, the 125 service will continue cover vital links between Bewdley and Kidderminster, with the WCC tendered 292 service serving Hales Park and Bark Hill along the main Cleobury Rd.

“One option currently under consideration is to remove the 2a service to Bark Hill and retain the 2 as an hourly service to Hales Park in the hope that the route becomes financial viable.

“Under these proposals, Wribbenhall would continue to be served by the 2. The 2 and 125 service would also continue to retain the main links between Bewdley and Kidderminster and Bark Hill would be served by the 2 and 292 along the main Cleobury Rd.”

They added: “In order to separate the 2/2A and the 10 service, the route on the 10 was also recently changed.

“Since this change, we have experienced heavy roadwork issues which are causing reliability problems. We are still undecided on how to move forward with this at this time.

“For the 10 service to be viable with its current patronage the timetable needs to be deliverable by one bus. There has been a suggestion made that by reversing the route the reliability will improve or alternatively, we could move to a lower frequency.”

To provide comments and suggestions for services 2/2A and 10, people can email comments@diamondbuses.com.