THE Green Party in south Shropshire believes that a better bus service is just the ticket for people in the area.

But they claim that in some cases services are not only infrequent but unreliable.

The 292 bus now rebranded as the “2L” bus route, which connects Kidderminster and Ludlow, is proving unreliable and uncomfortable, according to the Green Party.

Rachel Radford, a resident of the Coreley parish who uses this bus service, said: “I have been stranded in both Ludlow and Cleobury Mortimer waiting for a 2L service that didn’t arrive and it is so unreliable that it is almost worse than having no service at all.

“The service is a lifeline for many in Cleobury, Doddington and Clee Hill.”

John Whitelegg, from the South Shropshire Green Party, thinks the difficulties with this service are symbolic of problems elsewhere.

“The 2L saga sums up all that is wrong with rural bus services in England and in Shropshire,” he said.

“A Conservative government has slashed funds for public transport and a Conservative run Shropshire Council implements those cuts and takes no interest in rural bus users.

“The Green Party campaigns for high quality buses that serve the travel needs of those who live in rural areas and does not accept the third world status of rural buses in Shropshire and the negligent attitude of Shropshire Council.

“We will campaign vigorously for the end of bus privatisation and for a responsive and high quality, well-funded bus service for all Shropshire’s residents”

Shropshire Council say they are aware of concerns regarding the service.

“The Ludlow to Kidderminster Bus service (numbered 2L) is operated by Diamond Bus, the service itself is operated partly on a commercial basis, with the remaining elements of the route managed by a Worcestershire County Council contract to which Shropshire Council contribute a subsidy," said Councillor Simon Jones, cabinet member for highways and transport.

"We have been made aware of concerns regarding the performance of this service and these concerns have been passed to Worcestershire County Council and to the West Midlands Area Traffic Commissioner, who is the regulatory body for all registered Local bus services.

"Diamond Bus representatives have also recently met with the Cleobury Mortimer Local Joint Committee to listen to public concerns and have made assurances that they are committed to improve the level of service to the travelling public on this route.”