Last Wednesday I met with Simon - area managing director for Arriva north (which includes Cannock and Stafford). He has worked for Arriva for a number of years but only recently changed his focus to our area and seems keen to make changes. I tried to raise all the main points raised by your comments and some from my local area. Here's a summary of what we discussed: A) I asked if there was any discussion about evening and Sundays going on and he said very little to none. I suggested Friday & Saturday evenings as they are doing with the 825 and 60 - he said he would look into this as a possibility. B) I suggested a direct service to Birmingham from Cannock. They previously ran the X31 but it failed to make a profit, he said it was a 'disaster'. C) I suggested moving the bus stop in Walsall once the bus station is being renovated. They are paying the same as other operators to locate in the station, yet they are pushed out the way by the job centre. I argued they would get more customers traveling to Bloxwich if they located within the bus station like the 301/302. D) I suggested they have route specific busses showing the key places being served as well as a map on the side like National Express do. This would improve awareness of what services are available and benefit them (and hopefully help to make Sundays more viable). E) I also asked why we are left with the crap busses and he told me they are investing into renovating the busses over the summer (which will include USB sockets and WiFi) but not replacing them. They currently have no immediate plans for more Sapphire routes in Cannock or Stafford. A few years ago they introduced Sapphire on the Pye Green 25/26 but changed their mind and moved them to Tamworth, despite a big advert in the paper. Apparently this is mentioned very often. F) I have asked for timetables to be more clear (for example there's no mention of Sapphire benefits on the 1,2,2E timetable which is not encouraging people to use the service). I suggested they place leaflets on busses and at the Walsall travel shop. I also asked why the stickers were removed off the bus shelters at Cannock bus station, why the big poster by the steps showing which stand to go to has disappeared, and why the digital signs are facing the wrong way. He mentioned that they are looking into making the shelters at Cannock bus station clearer and by using a large digital screen by the steps with live updates for each shelter (as they do in other bus stations). G) I suggested a direct service to Stafford from Great Wyrley & Cheslyn Hay. There's an 837 services that runs twice daily for school kids and commuters, but this will stop in September as Stafford college will stop their contributions. I suggested running the 837 more regular or extending the 74/75. I argued it would provide a link between hospitals, schools, the town and college. Also last Wednesday was a drop in at Cannock bus station with Simon himself and his colleagues. Having passed by I asked about the queries and concerns raised, most of which were evenings and Sundays. Unfortunately Staffordshire County Council didn't bother showing up, perhaps so the public could only blame Arriva despite many issues also being the fault of the council. I will be staying in touch with Simon and we have agreed a date to meet at the end of August to discuss developments. I hope he sticks to his word. In the mean time, keep signing and commenting. Regards, Lee