More people are travelling into Wolverhampton by bus, train and tram, according to latest statistics released this week.

The annual report by public transport promoter Centro shows the city is now beating its Government target for persuading commuters out of their cars in the morning rush hour.  Some 30.1 per cent of passengers used public transport, compared to a Local Transport Plan target of 29 per cent.

“This shows we are heading in the right direction in our campaign to cut congestion,” says Cllr Paul Allen, vice chair of the West Midlands Passenger Transport Authority, which sets Centro policy.  “Improving public transport has to be the way forward for the city.”

Centro’s figures show a 6.5 per cent increase in bus passengers heading for Wolverhampton city centre in the morning peak.  Rail trips were up by almost 20 per cent and Midland Metro figures grew by nearly three per cent.  In contrast, the number of cars on the road fell slightly.

Elsewhere in the Black Country, the proportion of rush hour passengers using public transport grew in West Bromwich.  The town has now met its target, although this was against a background of falling bus and car trips.  Walsall met its target last year, with 31 per cent of commuters using the bus and train.

Dudley and Brierley Hill both had lower levels of public transport use.  This is expected to improve considerably once the Midland Metro is extended to serve the area and following improvements to Dudley bus station.  Dudley is however still making good progress to meet its Government target of 16 per cent by the 2006 deadline.