National Express West Midlands route 302

Route 302 is a bus route in the West Midlands, it is operated by National Express West Midlands and A2Z Travel.

Information

The origin of service 302 goes back to 31 December 1962 when Walsall Corporation introduced a new trolleybus service as an extension of existing journeys operating between Walsall and Bloxwich. At this time the service number was 32. The service passed to West Midlands Passenger Transport Executive on 1 October 1969 and became fully motorbus operated from 3 October 1970. It was renumbered 332 when converted to one man operation in the mid 1970's, and totally withdrawn after 25 October 1986 being then replaced by circular services 372 and 373 which generally then ran at a 15 minute frequency on each route daytime Monday to Saturday and 30 minute frequency on each route at other times. In recent years circular operation by services 372/373 was confined to evenings and Sundays with the re-introduction of Monday to Saturday daytime journeys operating Walsall - Leamore - Bloxwich - Lower Farm Estate using service numbers 302A/302C, generally at a 24 minute frequency on each route, combined to give a 12 minute frequency. The 302C ran clockwise out of Bloxwich via Stafford Road to Lower Farm Estate then via Lichfield Road back to Bloxwich, the 302A operating anti clockwise in the opposite drection. In 2007 these services were simplified with the original (as in 31 December 1962) service pattern being re-introduced as service 302 operating out of Bloxwich via Lichfield Road to Lower Farm Estateand returning via Lichfield Road to Bloxwich at a frequency of every 12 minutes.

The 302 is a major service linking Walsall with the Lower Farm Estate via Bloxwich

The route follows the same route as fellow A2Z Travel and National Express West Midlands service 301 up until Bloxwich High Street, where the 301 heads off to the Mossley Estate and the 302 to the Lower Farm Estate.

Previously the route was only operated by National Express West Midlands who operated services 302A and 302C. These services circled around the Lower Farm Estate, before heading back along the Stafford Road.

On return journeys from Lower Farm, National Express West Midlands services go along the Lichfield Road, whereas the A2Z Travel ones go along the Stafford Road.

A2Z Travel have recently decreased the frequency of their operations on the route.

Evening and Sunday journeys are via circular services 372 and 373.

Upcoming Changes

*Within the next month it is understood that Volvo B7RLEs are set to be used on the 302 by National Express West Midlands in place of the usual Volvo B6LE.
*From October 18th 2008, A2Z Travel are withdrawing off the 302.

Route

Below is a list of places/facilities which the route serves.
*Walsall Bus Station
*Walsall Magistrates Court
*NXWM Walsall Depot
*Leamore
*Bloxwich Leisure Centre
*Bloxwich High Street
*Lower Farm

External Links