ANOTHER Worcester Express bus is being laid on for the school run because the service has proved so popular in the first three weeks.

Last week's figures showed a 134 per cent upturn in demand - more than double the number of people using the buses over the same period last year.

However, the success of the 'W' routes in attracting schoolchildren has meant some regular users and shoppers have suffered longer waits to use the service.

County councillor John Smith, who is leading the scheme, has organised another bus from Perdiswell to the city centre between 7.30am and 9.30am to help cut queues.

"By any standards, Worcester Express is going great guns and is already a terrific success story - but in some ways we're victims of our own success," he said.

"While we're delighted that one of our target areas (schoolchildren) is responding so positively to the scheme, it appears to have been at the expense of some regular users who are concerned that they're having to wait a little longer than previously.

"The extra vehicle is in response to those concerns and should go a long way towards easing the early morning rush."

He said a significant number of long-term park-and-ride users had voiced concerns over the lengthening queues, from about 8am, when schoolchildren - who travel free - take up seats at the expense of paying travellers.

Coun Smith continued: "The people I've spoken to have expressed very real concerns about this particular issue, and we're anxious that we get the formula correct, right from the start.

"Some passengers have even expressed sadness that the service is becoming so popular that drivers now rarely have time for their customary chats with regulars - which prompts me to use the phrase 'victims of our own success'. I've said all along that we're always willing to listen to our customers, and this move is in direct response to just that".

The new bus comes into service on Monday.