BROMSGROVE and Redditch bus users have received a boost after it was announced a new bus service running to Longbridge is to be introduced in September.

The new service, the 39b, has been partly funded by Bournville College, which wants to help provide transport to college students living outside of Bournville.

Although it has been introduced with students in mind, as it will run only on weekdays during college terms, the service is a registered bus route and will be open to anyone.

It is particularly useful for people looking to use Barnt Green or Longbridge railway stations.

The bus leaves Bromsgrove Bus Station at 8am, stopping in Catshill, Rednal, Barnt Green, Alvechurch and Hopwood, arriving at Longbridge at 8.43am.

The service makes a return journey leaving Longbridge at 5.05pm, arriving in Bromsgrove at 5.48pm.

There is a flat fare of £2, but students or staff attending Bournville College can pay a reduced price of £1 if they show their Bournville College pass.

On the early evening return journey, National Concessionary Bus passes will be accepted.

The service will be operated by West Midlands Special Needs Transport (WMSNT).

Des Rogers, WMSNT's operations manager, said he looked forward to the service assisting students and creating better transport links.

He added the service may be expanded to cover the Longbridge site, after it has been regenerated.

The service will start operating on Monday, September 10.

For more information call WMSNT on 0121 327 8128, or email enquiries@wmsnt.org.

• A free WMSNT bus service, for pupils enrolling at Bournville College, will be running on Thursday, August 30.

The service will leave Bromsgrove Bus Station at 9.30am, 11am, and again at 12.30pm.

The free bus will make stops in Catshill, Barnt Green and Alvechurch.
 

The bus will then make the return journey, from the college, at 11.50am, 1.35pm and 2.30pm.


Students can call 0121 453 9382 for more details.