On or off the buses

The Mercury have given us the latest take on the seemingly endless tale of the Lichfield to Walsall bus service.
First Travel West Midlands dropped the baton and now A2Z Travel have pulled out. The latest development is that Arriva will step into the breach (partially at least!). But for how long? If two companies have failed to make a go of it then surely this might indicate that a service isn't viable?

The footnote to Arriva's arrival on the scene is that it's a partnership with Staffordshire County Council. The word partnership is an interesting one. For Staffordshire County Council to be a partner, they must be bringing something to the link-up. I'm certainly not suggesting there's a subsidy or the like, but if there were it would be a downright disgrace.

I don't object to subsidised services to villages where residents may often rely on such a service and have no other transport links, but the Lichfield to Walsall route is certainly not that. It is a dying route - something proved by the failure of two successful businesses to make it work.

All good things must come to an end - and the 991 service is no different.