Work starts on revamp of Walsall bus station
Work has started on £680,000 improvements to Walsall St Paul’s bus station – which will be the first station to be repainted in new West Midlands Transport (WMT) branding.
The station, which is almost 20 years old, will get new cycle facilities, passenger information screens and a facelift as part of the improvement package.
The project is funded by Transport for West Midlands (TfWM), part of the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA).
The new WMT branding provides distinctive livery for public transport in the region – orange for trains, blue for trams, red for buses and green for bikes.
New LED lighting has already been installed, while the facilities building has been redesigned and now has a rest area for bus drivers.
Once work is complete, passengers will benefit from improved waiting areas, including new flooring and seating, along with new cycle facilities and refurbished, free-to-use public toilets.
Cllr Roger Lawrence, transport portfolio holder for the WMCA and leader of City of Wolverhampton Council said: “These improvements will re-energise St Paul’s with a new look and feel.
“The whole station will be repainted, with the addition of big screens showing real-time service information, energy-saving LED lighting and comfortable seating helping to make it more modern and passenger-friendly.”
Cllr Adrian Andrew, deputy leader of Walsall Council, said: “I’m pleased that TfWM are undertaking a refurbishment of St Paul’s Bus Station, which will improve the journey experience for local people.
“Walsall Council and TfWM have longer-term ambitions to fundamentally improve all of the public transport interchanges in the town centre – St Paul’s Bus Station; Bradford Place Bus Interchange; and Walsall Rail Station – to ensure that facilities reflect the significant demand for public transport services in the town centre, and that they support the ongoing regeneration taking place there.”
Andy Street, Mayor of the West Midlands, said: “St Paul’s is one of TfWM’s busiest bus stations, and passengers deserve a bright, modern and welcoming station.
“We’re delighted to invest in improving the station to create a pleasant environment for everyone who uses it.”
Work is expected to be complete by the end of 2018.
