West Worcestershire MP Dame Harriett Baldwin welcomes improvements which will see additional bus services running between Malvern and Worcester city centre.

The MP met with First Bus managing director Doug Claringbold to discuss the company’s recent timetable changes which see extra services in the evenings and a Sunday service allowing more people to choose to use the bus.

The company has also doubled the frequency of a county service by adding a half hourly service along the X50 route between Pershore and Worcester, meaning additional connections for people going to the Worcestershire Royal Hospital or using the county’s popular parkway trains station at Norton.

The pair discussed potential future improvements including a later service for theatre goers in Malvern, the return of the X43 service north of Malvern and better services connecting into Worcestershire Royal Hospital.

Dame Harriett commented:

“I had a really constructive meeting with Doug and we were able to come up with a number of plans to allow more people to use bus services between Malvern and Worcester.

“I’ve lobbied for later service along the 44 service and a return of the Sunday service. This is particularly important for commuters and people who are visiting the hospital either as a patient or to see friends or family.

“In addition, local people have requested an easier route from Malvern to the Worcestershire Royal Hospital and people can now use the 44 to the Worcester bus station where the same bus will magically turn into a service travelling to the hospital.

“In our discussions, we were able to identify some easy wins for First Bus and local people and I am hopeful that we will have some more good news to share in the coming weeks.

“Bus usage has still not returned to pre-pandemic levels, but I firmly believe that the bus company can put services back on, market them well and this will encourage more people to hop on a bus.”

Photo: George Burton, Dame Harriett Baldwin MP and Doug Claringbold.