ONE of the county's biggest bus providers has vowed to continue providing a "sustainable network" for Worcester but said congestion on the city's main routes is preventing it from providing a reliable service.

First Bus Worcestershire, which runs the majority of bus services in the city, has said Worcester's congestion problem needs

The call was in response to a draft bus review discussed at a county council scrutiny meeting on Wednesday (December 5).

The draft paper, compiled by a county council cross-party scrutiny group, called on the authority to take a long-term strategic approach to public transport.

A spokesman for First Bus Worcestershire said: “We will continue to work with Worcestershire County Council, local councillors and stakeholders to deliver a sustainable network of bus services for people living in Worcester and the surrounding areas where demand is required.

"One problem that needs urgent attention is congestion, especially along the main corridors into and out of the city as it is having a major effect on reliability of bus services throughout the working week and at weekends.

"Bus services can help resolve the problem of congestion and also improve air quality within the city, as one bus can carry the equivalent of at least 30 cars at any one time.

"Think of what a difference that could make to traffic flows within the city if people considered choosing the bus over the car to make a journey for work, leisure or to attend appointments."

The report called for a review into the council's bus subsidy criteria with a view to ensuring towns and larger villages have a minimum daily service in a bid to combat social isolation and ensuring timetables are accurate and readily available, expanding the contactless payment system and by improving marketing and publicity of the buses.