On Tuesday I had a follow-up meeting with Simon, area manager for Arriva Midlands West. Since there's no sign of Sundays and Evenings anytime soon my main mission now is to improve existing services. But this does not mean I have given up on withdrawals.

Here's a summary of what we discussed this time...

A) They are completing a full audit of the sapphire busses (1, 2, 2E) to ensure everything works - i.e. the USB sockets that currently do not! They will be upgrading a non-sapphire to a similar standard as a spare.
B) As I suggested last time, they will hopefully be within the new Walsall bus station once complete rather than pushed over by the job centre (hopefully this will increase passenger numbers going to Bloxwich)
C) They are looking into running an express service between Cannock and Lichfield to reduce the current time of 50-60 minutes start to finish.
D) I have suggested some compromises for running evenings and Sundays again, such as running the 2E no further than Bloxwich (there are very regular links to Walsall from there). Also running the 75A to Queensville shopping estate (again, there are regular links to the town). This should make it more viable?? Unlikely to happen anytime soon though.
E) For users of the 70 to Wolverhampton it is improving in terms of numbers and shall remain at a half an hour service (on a side note the 71 is ran by Select on the same route as when Arriva ran it).
F) Myself and Simon are trying to improve or replace the useless bus stop flags that do not show route numbers or name of stop like the ones in the West Mids do. Staffordshire County Council are very awkward indeed about things like this (my words, certainly not his).
G) Improvements will continue to make the bus stands more clear at Cannock bus station. Again, Staffs own them and get arsey when they put signs up etc. (also my words not his!).
H) To clarify, the term-time services 826, 827, 835 and 837 were withdrawn due to withdrawal of funds from the colleges (I am unsure which). However it's possible Arriva will run earlier services to accommodate. We also agreed people are not always aware that if travelling directly from Cannock to Stafford or reverse that both 74 and 75 take roughly the same amount of time, it's just a different route!
I) They are looking at running a new service to Reedswood shopping estate, possibly including Beechdale.
J) Contactless will be introduced hopefully in early 2019.

I have heard back from Diamond (Rotala) and Midland Classic who unfortunately aren’t interested in expanding into Cannock at this time. I shall continue to keep everyone informed as I continue my mission! If you have any suggestions or comments please comment on the petition.