THE SADDLERS Special is back!
The Midland buses WFC1 Saddlers Special service runs from Walsall Wood to Bank's Stadium via Walsall on home match days. At the end of last season transport authority Centro, bus company Midland and Walsall Football Club teamed up to fund and run a trial of Saddlers Specials bus services to get football fans living in north Walsall to the Banks' Stadium for Saddlers games on match days.
The service from Walsall Wood proved so successful that Midland buses are running the buses during the 2010/2011 season on a commercial basis.
It means people living in the outer areas of the borough can get to home matches and back again quickly, easily and cheaply with tickets costing up to £1.70 single or £3 return. for adults travelling from stops between Walsall Wood and Walsall. From Bradford Place Bus Station an adult return is only £2. Children and concessionary pass holders travel at only half price! Midland have also announced a special offer for family groups, up to children can travel for FREE with 2 full paying adults.
The buses will serve every stop on a carefully designed route, taking Saddlers fans right into the Banks' Stadium car park by 2pm for afternoon matches and 6.40pm for evening matches, giving them plenty of time to get something to eat and drink, buy a programme and take their seat before kick-off.
Return services will depart from the same spot, leaving the ground at 5.05pm for afternoon matches and 21.45 for evening matches, ensuring passengers don't need to wait around and get home quickly after the game.
Stephen Rhodes, passenger services director said: "I'm delighted that that the people from north Walsall, who previously had no direct transport links to the Banks' Stadium, can travel to see their team play easily and affordably.
"The new service will give more people the opportunity to enjoy watching live Walsall games and I am delighted that the service is becoming a long term fixture for Saddlers fans."
The services will start for the Saddlers home game against MK Dons today (Saturday, 7th August 2010) and the Tuesday evening game against Tranmere Rovers, and will continue to run for the Banks' Stadium home matches throughout the rest of the season.
"We hope that the Saddlers Special bus service will encourage more and more people to attend Walsall FC home games," said Saddlers' Chief Executive, Stefan Gamble
"We are thankful for the support we have received on this venture and are really pleased that Saddlers Specials are become part and parcel of supporters' match day routines."
Assistant Depot Manager Neil Snook from Midland added:
"We are delighted to that the trial was such a success and that we can run a service for Saddlers fans. "With the retail park nearby, there has been a problem with traffic congestion before and after the match. The Saddlers Specials will not only provide a direct link to the Banks' Stadium from the north of Walsall for fans already using public transport, but hopefully will entice people out of their cars to use these services to see the match.
"At just £3 return, this is excellent value for money and will cut out the hassle for fans trying to find a parking place, as well as reducing the amount of traffic congestion in the area."
Route Description WFC1 Walsall Wood - Brownhills - Pelsall - High Heath - Walsall - Banks's Stadium Valid from 07 August 2010
Outward: Walsall Wood, High Street, Lichfield Road, Shire Oak, Chester Road, Brownhills, High Street, Pelsall Road, Lichfield Road, Pelsall, Norton Road, Vicarage Road, Ford Brook Lane, High Heath, Mill Road, Lichfield Road, Lichfield Street, Lower Rushall Street, Upper Rushall Street, Peal Street, Dudley Street, Caldmore Road, Bradford Street, Bradford Place, Bradford Street, Wednesbury Road, Bescot Crescent, Banks's Stadium.
Inward: Banks's Stadium, Bescot Crescent, Wednesbury Road, Bradford Street, Bradford Place, Bradford Street, Caldmore Road, Dudley Street, Peal Street, Upper Rushall Street, Lower Rushall Street, Lichfield Street, Lichfield Road, Mill Road, High Heath, Ford Brook Lane, Vicarage Road, Norton Road, Pelsall, Lichfield Road, Pelsall Road, High Street, Brownhills, Chester Road, Shire Oak, Lichfield Road, High Street, Walsall Wood.
