Bus Provision for the Commonwealth Games 2022

Grahamk748 · 18 May 2022

Does anyone know who is operating the special routes for the Commonwealth Games is Birmingham this year and any information on the routes being operated? I think it is Stagecoach running most of them again but haven’t really seen or heard much about them yet.

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Deerfold · 19 May 2022

Grahamk748 said:
Does anyone know who is operating the special routes for the Commonwealth Games is Birmingham this year and any information on the routes being operated? I think it is Stagecoach running most of them again but haven’t really seen or heard much about them yet.

For something that's happening in two months there's previous little information available to the public about what the travel options are.

P Binnersley · 20 May 2022

New "Sprint" Express buses should be running Walsall-Perry Barr(stadium)-Birmingham-Airport/NEC.

Sprint bus priority corridor

Learn more about Sprint - Sprint is a bus priority corridor that will link Walsall to Solihull and Birmingham Airport in one continuous route.

www.tfwm.org.uk

The road works are "almost" complete, but it will be touch and go.
The Sprint buses will be run by National Express

National Express to run zero-emission Sprint bus services

www.wmca.org.uk

There is also the transport for athletes between the athletes village and the events. I think this may be the Stagecoach contract, but I am not certain.

Perry Barr (railway) station is also closed for a rebuild and due to re-open before the games, but this is about a mile from the stadium so must people will still need to use the bus.

I expect they are holding back until they know exactly what will/will not be open for the games.
All games tickets will be valid for use on public transport
https://www.birmingham2022.com/tickets

Deerfold · 20 May 2022

P Binnersley said:
New "Sprint" Express buses should be running Walsall-Perry Barr(stadium)-Birmingham-Airport/NEC.

Sprint bus priority corridor

Learn more about Sprint - Sprint is a bus priority corridor that will link Walsall to Solihull and Birmingham Airport in one continuous route.

www.tfwm.org.uk

The road works are "almost" complete, but it will be touch and go.
The Sprint buses will be run by National Express

National Express to run zero-emission Sprint bus services

National Express to run zero-emission Sprint bus services

www.wmca.org.uk

There is also the transport for athletes between the athletes village and the events. I think this may be the Stagecoach contract, but I am not certain.

Perry Barr (railway) station is also closed for a rebuild and due to re-open before the games, but this is about a mile from the stadium so must people will still need to use the bus.

I expect they are holding back until they know exactly what will/will not be open for the games.
All games tickets will be valid for use on public transport
https://www.birmingham2022.com/tickets

They're definitely holding back. I'm guessing people going who want to use public transport would want to know what's going to be running when they plan their trip.

Thanks for the links - they didn't come up from the Commonwealth Games site.

gka472l · 20 May 2022

There's some sort of test event on this weekend (Saturday?) with some visiting Stagecoach vehicles being used, several E400MMC's from Merseyside are believed to be in the Birmingham area for it at least.....

HTH

duncanp · 20 May 2022

The Commonwealth Games transport plan says that detailed information will be available by "Spring 2022", which is now.

I would imagine there will be express buses to the most important venues, particularly the swimming which is not near an existing rail station.

It has been reported that spectators will get free travel on all public transport within the West Midlands (Buses, trains and trams (assuming they are back up and running by then)) on the day of their ticket for the games.

mm333 · 27 May 2022

The Games journey planner has been launched: https://www.birmingham2022.com/travel

For the journey from my digs in Stechford to the NEC, the two options it gives me are cycle or drive! Not the 2 trains a hour from Stechford to Birmingham International.

Bletchleyite · 27 May 2022

mm333 said:
The Games journey planner has been launched: https://www.birmingham2022.com/travel

For the journey from my digs in Stechford to the NEC, the two options it gives me are cycle or drive! Not the 2 trains a hour from Stechford to Birmingham International.

I'm mildly confused as to why they don't all have "walk" icons next to them!

dmncf · 27 May 2022

P Binnersley said:
New "Sprint" Express buses should be running Walsall-Perry Barr(stadium)-Birmingham-Airport/NEC.

Sprint bus priority corridor

Learn more about Sprint - Sprint is a bus priority corridor that will link Walsall to Solihull and Birmingham Airport in one continuous route.

www.tfwm.org.uk

Is the plan that buses will do a continuous journey from Walsall via the city centre to Birmingham International Airport?

Deerfold · 27 May 2022

Sprint seems to have so much information.

Except hours of operation, frequencies and fares.

gc4946 · 27 May 2022

Some events will take place outside the former West Midlands county, eg bowls at Leamington Spa, cycling at Cannock Chase and Warwick, would there be shuttle buses to/from those venues in order that spectators can travel for free?

158756 · 28 May 2022

mm333 said:
The Games journey planner has been launched: https://www.birmingham2022.com/travel

For the journey from my digs in Stechford to the NEC, the two options it gives me are cycle or drive! Not the 2 trains a hour from Stechford to Birmingham International.

Is it just me or is this a bit rubbish? The park and ride information link doesn't work, I can't even see if it says anywhere where any P&R or shuttle bus might run to, no timetables available (and neither TfWM or NXWM seem to have them either). And it offers the option of driving everywhere, but all the publicity is saying no parking will be available at the venues.

mm333 · 31 May 2022

I went back to the journey planner today and it now says "The journey planner is currently unavailable, we apologise for any inconvenience and hope to have this restored as soon as possible."

duncanp · 31 May 2022

mm333 said:
I went back to the journey planner today and it now says "The journey planner is currently unavailable, we apologise for any inconvenience and hope to have this restored as soon as possible."

Presumably this is because they are not sure whether the tram service will be up and running in time for the games!

(only half joking)

WM Bus · 1 Jun 2022

dmncf said:
Is the plan that buses will do a continuous journey from Walsall via the city centre to Birmingham International Airport?

Solihull to Walsall via Birmingham City Centre. Which would be the X2 (Solihull to Bimringham) and 51 services merged. And the Cov Road Solihull route moved off Old Lode Lane onto Hobs Moat Road.
Whether it terminates in the Town Centre, or at Solihull Station like the X2 currently does remains to be seen.

You'd have to change in City Centre for the X1 or the train as its not supposed going to go to the Airport yet.

Statto · 1 Jun 2022

WM Bus said:
Solihull to Walsall via Birmingham City Centre. Which would be the X2 (Solihull to Bimringham) and 51 services merged. And the Cov Road Solihull route moved off Old Lode Lane onto Hobs Moat Road.
Whether it terminates in the Town Centre, or at Solihull Station like the X2 currently does remains to be seen.

You'd have to change in City Centre for the X1 or the train as its not supposed going to go to the Airport yet.

Isn't the short X51s meant to be merging with the short X1s to provide a through route to Birmingham Airport, or has that plan changed?

WM Bus · 2 Jun 2022

Statto said:
Isn't the short X51s meant to be merging with the short X1s to provide a through route to Birmingham Airport, or has that plan changed?

Not as far as I know. The short X1's don't exist anymore either, all X1's go to Coventry. (As of the new 5.6.22 timetable the only X1's that run short to Birmingham Airport leaving City depart at 08.10 and overnight at 22.45, 00.05, 01.05 and 02.05).
The Sprint route to Birmingham Airport won't be ready for 2022, it has been said. The one to Solihull likely will be.

Stephen1001 · 21 Jun 2022

I was alerted to a segment in the latest Notices & Proceedings (slightly edited for ease of reading) and have a feeling it may be relevant:

Section 2.4 – Variation Applications Granted

MIDLAND RED (SOUTH) LIMITED
New operating centre: STAGECOACH, BIRMINGHAM ROAD, OLDBURY, B69 4FF
New authorisation at this operating centre will be: 269 vehicle(s)
New operating centre: STAGECOACH, ERDINGTON INDUSTRIAL PARK, CHESTER ROAD, BIRMINGHAM, B24 0RD
New authorisation at this operating centre will be: 341 vehicle(s)

Those are pretty large authorisations - must be a big operation planned.

sonic2009 · 22 Jun 2022

gc4946 said:
Some events will take place outside the former West Midlands county, eg bowls at Leamington Spa, cycling at Cannock Chase and Warwick, would there be shuttle buses to/from those venues in order that spectators can travel for free?

The map below shows services that can be used to get to the areas outside of Network West Midlands.

gka472l · 13 Jul 2022

Probably worth 'bumping' this thread as the Commonwealth Games are imminent. I believe (from reading elsewhere) that some Stagecoach vehicles have already started to arrive in the Birmingham area in readiness. There are two depots to be used, one in Oldbury and another in Erdington. Vehicle info known so far are 7 vehicles from Stagecoach South West and many E200MMC's (26*** examples) are getting seating alterations for use during the event.

HTH

150249 · 19 Jul 2022

10500, 10502, 10503, 10688 - 10691, 10693, 10694 and 10697 have gone from Exeter. There are several MMCs from Torquay and Plymouth too. I heard that 10533 has been written off after an RTC on its way down.

Deerfold · 19 Jul 2022

Thought I'd have a look at a sample journey or two with the planner.

I looked at dates before the games start and after for Birmingham New Street to Coventry Arena. It gives it taking 9 minutes longer to get there when the shuttles are running compared with the walk on the earlier date. Along with an apparent 6 minute walk from Birmingham New Street to Birmingham New Street at the start of the planned journey it manages to make it slightly slower than driving (the details of which it also gives). I'm not sure that's going to persuade people to take public transport for a trip that should be quicker.

GusB · 19 Jul 2022

150249 said:
10500, 10502, 10503, 10688 - 10691, 10693, 10694 and 10697 have gone from Exeter. There are several MMCs from Torquay and Plymouth too. I heard that 10533 has been written off after an RTC on its way down.

Which fleet are you referring to?

150249 · 19 Jul 2022

GusB said:
Which fleet are you referring to?

Stagecoach south west for the first part. I think 10533 is Stagecoach North Scotland

GusB · 19 Jul 2022

150249 said:
Stagecoach south west for the first part. I think 10533 is Stagecoach North Scotland

Thanks - this wasn't clear (bear in mind that other groups use 5-digit numbers as well).

150249 · 19 Jul 2022

GusB said:
Thanks - this wasn't clear (bear in mind that other groups use 5-digit numbers as well).

Yes, forgot about First

Adtrainsam · 19 Jul 2022

I'm aware that Stephensons of Essex will be sending over 5/6 of their Scania Enviro 400s to Birmingham for the Games - information from a driver I know that's going.

fgwrich · 19 Jul 2022

I'm led to believe Stagecoach Hampshire / South are supplying a number of MMCs as well, as we've had several away for interior modifications of late and replacement in the form of ex Ayrshire E200s.

TheGrandWazoo · 20 Jul 2022

I saw a convoy of Stagecoach vehicles heading south - E400s and E200MMCs near M1 J29A, including some E200MMC with Loop branding - Thanet?

jamieintercity · 20 Jul 2022

Stagecoach East Scotland are sending their entire fleet of E400MMCs and some Dunfermline E200MMCs down south.

Stagecoach Highlands are just sending the E200MMCs and a Mercedes benz sprinter.

Bus Provision for the Commonwealth Games 2022

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