Thought I'd use this thread to detail a trip out that I had recently, and some observations on NXWM.
I started the day stashing the car in a suitably safe location and then caught my first bus. I'd checked on contactless and the multi operator ticket that I needed. So imagine my surprise when I discovered that you can't buy said ticket using contactless on NXWM!! The driver realised I was a genuine case so I travelled the short distance to West Brom bus station where I then went to the ticket office. Again, more shenanigans when I said I wanted a bus+tram ticket - you apparently can't buy that in the bus station but on the tram.... FFS, I bought the full fat bus/tram/train ticket. In the event, I didn't use the tram and the trains were subject to industrial action anyway. Not exactly a great start.
However, we were now ok with ticket in hand. I caught my second vehicle from West Brom to Dudley with 64 plate e400 4978 which had empty lager cans on the seats...at 1000 in the morning. Had it been cleaned from the night before...I wasn't certain. I was beginning to wonder how good NXWM are. We made our way through the Black Country through spots like Great Bridge; areas I've known in the past and was beginning to recall. Perhaps it was that or maybe I was beginning to put the little problems into perspective as things began to change. In Dudley bus station (seemingly little different from how it was in 1996 when I first visited, just with no Metrobuses), I then caught the 17 to Kingswinford to meet a fellow forum member. This was another e400 - a 13 plate. It had just been refurbished!! Now, I am used to First where buses can run for years without a paintbrush or upholsterer being seen. It was a slightly upgraded interior though I was slightly disappointed with the lack of internal promotion. Still, a nice ride and quite a journey around Gornal. After my assignation, I caught another e400 to Wolverhampton. This was in original condition though destined for refurb, and we made our way across the border and through the hinterland around Womborne; it is a lovely trip that I can recommend.
Time for a snack stop at Wolverhampton and then my first trip on a WM Premium service on the 529. I can honestly say that these vehicles are some of the best I've travelled on, especially on an urban route. Seats are comfortable and the ride was great. Internal advertising was on point - it is really how companies should be moving to. Again, I compare with similar aged First vehicles in Bristol and NX are miles ahead. I hopped off at Willenhall, and elected to use the multi operator capability of my ticket.
I went for the 326 to Bilston operated by Diamond. Now people may think I have something against Diamond; I do, in the quality of service provided. Firstly, it was 15 mins late (or was it early). The vehicle was an e200 in Central Buses livery with a driver wearing a Stagecoach hi-viz. The timings seemed optimistic as the driver sought to keep (or make time). There was a notice about fares and services changing in Tamworth in June.....I struggle to see one positive about the journey. I had thought about getting a Banga bus back to Wolverhampton but I elected not to.
At Bilston, I was faced with getting the tram but didn't really think it would get me anywhere I fancied or needed. The bus station is a competent yet strangely Soviet feeling place and I didn't want to wait too long. Eventually, I settled on getting 4340 on the 82. This is one of the oldest vehicles in the NXWM fleet, being an ALX400 still with the old TWM moquette. However, I thoroughly enjoyed the journey as we weaved around the various housing estates of Wren's Nest and Roseville. Whilst I love the traditional, emblematic rural or interurban journeys of the UK, I do enjoy the occasional urban grind and the Black Country is one of my favourites.
Dusk was falling fast as we arrived back in Dudley, and I was fortunate that the NXWM Platinum X8 was running late as I was able to catch this. Similar to my 529 vehicle, these are great vehicles and I hope that they are supporting some form of passenger growth, along with their promo liveries and smart marketing. I checked and saw that I could just about do a cheeky change and on reaching Quinton church, I was able to hope off just in time to see my final bus, a short e200 of NX, approach and take me on another circuitous trip and back to my car.
For urban bus operators, I think NXWM are one of the best. After the bad years around 2007-11, they have improved their investment but now that is better appointed and the marketing is much better. I don't know about the mass renumbering of services and things aren't perfect but they are moving in the right direction. As for Diamond....they know how to be profitable but I begin to question the long term plan other than to keep buying to get bigger.
