A2Z Travel Route 991
The 991 is a bus route in the West Midlands, United Kingdom. The majority of return journeys from Lichfield travel further into Lichfield housing estates and are therefore numbered the 991A. These journeys only operate Walsall bound.
Present
The 991/A is currently operated by A2Z Travel on a commercial basis between the two busy towns Walsall and Lichfield on a Monday - Saturday. There is currently no evening or Sunday service on the route.
It is one of three routes linking Walsall with Lichfield (the others being Heartlands Express Service 381 and Arriva Midlands service 61).
The 991 is run on weekdays from Walsall just six times, operating three return journeys each set of 'peak hours'.
On a Saturday there are 7 return journeys, departing every 90 minutes, with the exception of one missing journey at lunch time.
History
- 1999 - The 991 and 991A are both operated by National Express West Midlands (then Travel West Midlands) and Pete's Travel. Pete's Travel operate the 991 at an hourly daytime frequency on a Monday - Saturday, whilst TWM operate it at a half hourly frequency. The 991A is operated by both companies at irregular frequencies during peak times, in both directions. Additionally, irregular evening journeys are operated by TWM.
- 2000 - Pete's Travel withdraw off the 991/A.
- 2002 - Travel West Midlands significantly reduce the timetable on the 991, so that it now operates every 90 minutes during weekday daytimes and on Saturdays. The weekday peak timetable is irregular, with departures ranging from every 20 - 60 minutes. The evening journeys continue as they were running. The 991A is changed so that it only operates Walsall bound.
- 2007 - Travel West Midlands withdraw off the 991 and 991A completely. A2Z Travel step in to save the route, running it at the same timetable as previously.
- Early 2008 - A2Z Travel decide to increase the frequency of its services on the 991/A.
- Mid 2008 - A2Z Travel reduce the timetable and frequency on the 991/A.
- January 2009 - A2Z Travel withdraw weekday off-peak daytime journeys on the 991/A, leaving just six peak return workings only. The Saturday timetable however, is unaffected by the change.
- March 2009 - After A2Z Travels licence is revoked, Choice Travel step in to save the service.
Future
Both the 991 and 991A are withdrawn from 26th July 2009.
Other Information
In April 2007, the Express and Star newspaper published an article listing the Best Bus Routes elderly people could now travel on in the area with their new national bus passes. Despite people in the West Midlands area previously being allowed on the route, the 991 was listed due to its exceptional views of Lichfield Cathedral.