COMMUTERS clamouring to get on a popular bus service to Worcester city centre should have an easier ride from now on after two extra buses were laid on.

They were added to the W1 route of the Worcester Express service during peak times.

This means a bus will now leave the park-and-ride site at Perdiswell, off Droitwich Road, for the city centre every 10 minutes.

It comes as it was revealed the average weekly number of passengers for the W1, W2 and W3 city park and ride services combined has more than doubled - from 9,500 when the W1 was introduced last September to 19,500 now.

Figures for the W1 service alone were unavailable.

Lorna Phillips, Worcestershire County Council's marketing manager for passenger transport, said the extra buses were being laid on because the route had become too busy, especially at peak times, delaying departures.

She added: "It's just a big improvement and now means there will be more space for passengers and they'll be able to whizz in and out of town more easily."

The city's park-and-ride services have been running for almost five years but were relaunched last September in a bid to attract more passengers as previously there were not enough to make it viable.

One of the initiatives introduced was free travel for everyone under 19 and over 60 years old, with the new services now hoped to further increase passengers.

County councillor John Smith, cabinet member for the environment and transport, said the increase in passengers since September meant that buses which were leaving Perdiswell had been full to bursting.

He added: "Our customers have told us sometimes it's not been possible when arriving at Perdiswell to board immediately.

"This service improvement will mean an efficient and reliable service for people on this route, particularly those who commute into town at peak time."

The extra buses began running this week.

Users are reminded that between now and Saturday, January 21, the weekly Park And Travel tickets are available for £5.