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West Midlands Bus Network Review(s)

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Alex 2901

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Proposals have finished recently towards the second Walsall review and the Dudley area review, although no details are known for the latter.

The suggestions and proposals for the Walsall review are as following (area codes are included for ease) :

WA 8) Service increased to every 20 minutes
WA 9) Renumbered service 89.
WA 11) Renumbered service 311.
WA 13) Renumbered service 313.
WN 28) Service withdrawn and replaced by a majorly rerouted WA 69.
WA 31) Renumbered service 301.
WA 32) Renumbered service 302.
WA 33) New service between Walsall & Willenhall via Darlaston, Bentley Road South & Lodge Farm. Will operate every 20 mins.
WA 34A) Service withdrawn.
WA 38) Service withdrawn and replaced with service 39 between Walsall & Darlaston, and service 75 between Darlaston & Wednesbury.
WA 39) Service rerouted to serve Manor Hospital to replace service 38
WA 40) Service withdrawn and replaced by service 33 between Walsall & Willenhall.
WA 41) Service rerouted to avoid Allens Rough, and increased to every 20 minutes.
WA 69) Service rerouted to serve current 28 route between New Cross Hospital & Coppice Farm, and will no longer operate via New Invention, serving Allens Rough instead. Will no longer serve Byron Road or Pooles Lane. Will be operated by Wolverhampton from 24th April (other changes will be implemented at a later date)
WB 75) Service extended to Darlaston from Wednesbury.
WA 937) Service extended to Burntwood to replace service X56.
WA X56) Service withdrawn.
 
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Woody38

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Good to have somebody from the West Midlands on here, where I come from, has the Walsall review been made official yet, some good & bad points New cross hospital still seems hard to get to by public transport, in goes a different route around the hospital depending on if its coming or going to Wolverhampton. Any news on the express bus between brum & Merry Hill.
 

Bungle965

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Interesting news that they are extending the 75 to Darlaston gives it a link to Birmingham again after the 79 was curtailed into 2 different routes. Although it seems that there is a lot of overlapping between the 75 and the 79 now. To me that does not make much sense. But overall for a town like Darlaston it looks good news with various services being extended to serve the town.
Sam
 

Alex 2901

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Probablproody38;2532881]Good to have somebody from the West Midlands on here, where I come from, has the Walsall review been made official yet, some good & bad points New cross hospital still seems hard to get to by public transport, in goes a different route around the hospital depending on if its coming or going to Wolverhampton. Any news on the express bus between brum & Merry Hill.[/QUOTE]

At the moment, the X10 seems a possibility, although I can imagine that S fair number of people along Hagley Road will be less than pleased having to either walk to a stop a distance away for the X10, or get another bus entirely to catch up with one. A better idea in my opinion would be to keep the 141 at a half hourly frequency, and introduce the X10 in the gaps.

The introduction of the 75 in Darlaston would come at the loss of the 38, as well as the 34A, although both are replaced, at least partly. The 75 would probably serve Darlaston through Kings Hill rather than Dangerfield Road (79 route), although it would make including the 79 on the Soho Road branding more worthwhile (why it was even on there in the 1st place is something I don't know!)
 

Alex 2901

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The actual outcome of the review is near enough identical to the proposals, with the exception of the 89 staying as 89 and going via Bentley Bridge Retail Park, and the 33 becoming the 37, as well as the 41 continuing to serve Allens Rough.

However, another review is scheduled to take place, this time being the Solihull & Birmingham Airport services:

BC 60) Service withdrawn, replaced by new limited stop 960, operating along Small Heath Highway rather than through Small Heath
PB 66) Service withdrawn between Birmingham and Erdington, operating to Chelmsley Wood Via Castle Bromwich instead.
BC 97A) Service withdrawn, replaced by an increased frequency 966, with a 24 hr service
BC 900) Frequency increased to every 10 mins between Birmingham and Birmingham Airport, extending to Coventry every 20 minutes. Rerouted to serve Birmingham Business Park, with a 24 hr service introduced.
AG 966) Service truncated to Chelmsley Wood from Erdington, replaced by an extended service 66 serving Kingstanding to Chelmsley Wood Via Erdington & Castle Bromwich

Also mentioned, albeit unofficially, is a plan for a Bristol Road express, to go Platinum alongside the "960", the most likely theory is that this is the current X64 though.
 
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Alex 2901

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With the new 2016 batch of Platinums (6759-6854 for anyone interested), two of the routes planned have now converted to Platinum operation (126 & 529), with the 902, 904 & 905 expected to go Platinum in an interim period until December 4th, when routes 61, 900, 902, 904, 905, 914 & 957 are renumbered to the following:

61) X61 operating Limited Stop along Bristol Road to Frankley, every 10 minutes
900) X1 operating every 20 minutes to Coventry, every 10 to Airport & NEC
902) X6 operating every 30 minutes as current
904) X4 operating every 15 minutes as current
905) X5 operating every 30 minutes as current
914) X14 operating every 20 minutes as current
957) X2 operating every 15 as current

Interestingly, the planned 960 appears to have been shelved, along with the truncated 58/59 & new 15...
 

Woody38

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Wondered myself why they are changing the services to X' like it though Alex, wonder if all of them will change. We will have to wait & see about the 960 suppose that will have a number change if it happens. Not that familiar with the Brum network but have noticed Diamond where originally withdrawing the 15 service but that is not going to happen to later in the year.
Also wish they would run the 126 & the 529 as a X126 & X529 especially as they have the platinum buses many people want a quick link between the two towns.
 
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Deerfold

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With the new 2016 batch of Platinums (6759-6854 for anyone interested), two of the routes planned have now converted to Platinum operation (126 & 529), with the 902, 904 & 905 expected to go Platinum in an interim period until December 4th, when routes 61, 900, 902, 904, 905, 914 & 957 are renumbered to the following:

61) X61 operating Limited Stop along Bristol Road to Frankley, every 10 minutes
900) X1 operating every 20 minutes to Coventry, every 10 to Airport & NEC
902) X6 operating every 30 minutes as current
904) X4 operating every 15 minutes as current
905) X5 operating every 30 minutes as current
914) X14 operating every 20 minutes as current
957) X2 operating every 15 as current

Interestingly, the planned 960 appears to have been shelved, along with the truncated 58/59 & new 15...

Is there any indication when these changes will be happening?
 

Seacook

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Interesting news that they are extending the 75 to Darlaston gives it a link to Birmingham again after the 79 was curtailed into 2 different routes. Although it seems that there is a lot of overlapping between the 75 and the 79 now. To me that does not make much sense. But overall for a town like Darlaston it looks good news with various services being extended to serve the town.
Sam

The 75 from Birmingham to Wednesbury was withdrawn weeks ago being replaced by increased frequency of 74 (Birmingham - Dudley via West Bromwich) and 79 (West Bromwich - Wolverhampton via Wednesbury) services. Daytime frequency is 5 min for the former and 10 for the latter. I don't think there is a business case for introducing a new 75 route from Darlaston except possibly at peak times.
 

adrock1976

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What's it called? It's called Cumbernauld
In regards to the 9xx numbers in the West Midlands, I remember them in the late 1980s when West Midlands Travel (as it was then) introduced that as part of the "Timesaver" network of services.

The 900 ran Hasbury to Coventry via Halesowen, Quinton Expressway, Hagley Road, Birmingham, Small Heath Highway, etc to Coventry.

The 966 ran Wolverhampton - Birmingham Airport via Wilenhall (Staffordshire), Walsall, Aldridge, Little Aston, Sutton Coldfield, Erdington Six Ways, Kingsbury Road, A452 Collector Road that runs parallel to the M6, Chelmsley Wood, Bickenhill Lane, and International Station. The stopping points were Willenhall (Market Place I think), Walsall (Hatherton Road to Airport, Bus station to Wolverhampton), Lichfield Road near arboretum, Aldridge town centre, then all stops to Sutton Coldfield, then Horse & Jockey, Chester Road, Erdington Six Ways, Kingsbury Road, Tyburn Road, Tangmere Drive, Chelmsley Wood Labour Exchange, then all stops to Airport.

There was also a strange Timesaver route 901 that ran between Walsall and Birmingham via Lichfield every 60 minutes Monday to Saturday with no Sunday service. Monday to Friday peak journeys between Lichfield and Birmingham ran via Sutton Coldfield by-pass (the present day alignment of the A38), Tyburn Road, and Aston Expressway, while the normal journeys diverged off the main London Road and ran via Roughley, Mere Green, Sutton Coldfield, Erdington Six Ways, and Aston Expressway.
 

Alex 2901

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A consultation over a few services in the West Bromwich & Blackheath area almost certainly suggests that the long anticipated (or dreaded) Dudley Review is imminent, but these are the West Bromwich changes suggested:

48 - Reduced to every 30 mins
48A - New service replacing 50A & 50C, every 30 mins Monday to Saturday daytime
50A/C - Services withdrawn
80 - Reduced to every 20 mins
83 - Route amended to serve Ladywood; Five Ways & Markets, rather than Colmore Row. Will no longer serve Kenrick Park. Increased 20 mins frequency.
89 - Route amended to serve Kenrick Park & West Bromwich, no longer serving Oldbury, Lion Farm & Blackheath.
120 - Increased 20 mins frequency to Dudley from Birmingham.
120A - New service operating Birmingham to Blackheath, via Bearwood & Oldbury. Every 20 mins, replacing 120E trips to Oldbury.

Some things mentioned unofficially are the transfer of the 121 to Pensnett, rather than West Bromwich as current, Electric buses for the 120 in 2018, and the transfer of the 80/83 to Birmingham Central, rather than West Bromwich as current. All of those should be taken as gospel, rather than as fact though.
 

Alex 2901

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Not so much a review, but an overview of the service arrangements as Arriva close Wednesfield depot on the 22nd April:

Routes 8A, 12, 13, 17, 19, 23, 27*, 28E, 35*, 36, 41*, 63, 64, 65 (W'ton), 65 (Wednesbury), 77*, 82*, 142, 223, 229, 257*, 310, 326 & 604 will no longer be operated by Arriva.
All bar 604 will transfer to Diamond. 604 will be operated by Claribels.
Routes 10/A/B will be operated from Telford, routes 35/35A/X35 will operate from Tamworth

Routes 424 & S16 will no longer be operated by iGo. Both will transfer to Claribels.

NXWM service 99 withdrawn. Service 244 extended from Halesowen to Queen Elizabeth Hospital to cover. Frequency will be every 30 minutes.
X64 will no longer serve Bristol Road, and will now operate via Five Ways & University (the Vale).

* Evening & Sunday services only affected.
 

Bungle965

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Not so much a review, but an overview of the service arrangements as Arriva close Wednesfield depot on the 22nd April:

Routes 8A, 12, 13, 17, 19, 23, 27*, 28E, 35*, 36, 41*, 63, 64, 65 (W'ton), 65 (Wednesbury), 77*, 82*, 142, 223, 229, 257*, 310, 326 & 604 will no longer be operated by Arriva.
All bar 604 will transfer to Diamond. 604 will be operated by Claribels.
Routes 10/A/B will be operated from Telford, routes 35/35A/X35 will operate from Tamworth

Routes 424 & S16 will no longer be operated by iGo. Both will transfer to Claribels.

NXWM service 99 withdrawn. Service 244 extended from Halesowen to Queen Elizabeth Hospital to cover. Frequency will be every 30 minutes.
X64 will no longer serve Bristol Road, and will now operate via Five Ways & University (the Vale).

* Evening & Sunday services only affected.

Hm i`m not sure how I feel about that, my local route is included with the swap from Arriva to Diamond, they have a tendency to cut corners especially when it comes to maintenance. They have already been given a warning by the traffic commissioner have they not?
Sam
 

Alex 2901

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Also worth noting, is that Arriva route 10 will extend to Telford Bus Station, from Perton Sainsburys, starting 6th May. How this will affect the 10A & 10B, I'm not sure, but I believe they will reduce to two hourly.
Arriva Midlands service 8 (Telford to Shifnal) withdrawn. Replaced by service 10 from the 6th May.
 

Statto

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Changes to East Birmingham services coming up in June are

Service 14 - Birmingham - Tile Cross - Marston Green - Chelmsley Wood
Following requests to better serve Fordbridge area, buses will serve Chapelhouse Road for Whitesmoor Neighbourhood Centre and Grace Academy, offering new direct links to Chelmsley Wood and Birmingham city centre.
From St. Giles Road in Tile Cross the 14 will use Tile Cross Road, Bosworth Drive, Chapelhouse Road and Bosworth Drive to Chelmsley Wood interchange. Buses will return to Birmingham the same way.
In response to feedback there will be no change to the route between Chelmsley Wood and Yorkminster Drive.
Marston Green will be served by the 72 which will also run more often.

Services 15A, 15C - Erdington - Boldmere - Sutton Coldfield - Penns Lane - Erdington
Due to low passenger use between Sutton Coldfield, Penns Lane and Erdington the 15A and 15C will be replaced in part by changes to the 66.
The 66 will run from City to Erdington then continue via Boldmere to Sutton Coldfield.
Buses will run more often between Erdington, Boldmere and Sutton Coldfield.
Buses will no longer run along Penns Lane.
Frequent alternative services run between Walmley and Sutton Coldfield on the 71 and X14.

Service 17 - Birmingham - Hob Moor Road - Garretts Green - Tile Cross
Buses will better serve Bell Lane, between Marston Green and Tile Cross, providing a direct link to Birmingham city centre.
Buses will now run along The Radleys and Bell Lane towards Tile Cross instead of Mackadown Lane.
Buses will return to Birmingham the same way, via Bell Lane and The Radleys.

Service 37 - Birmingham - Acocks Green - Solihull
A new early morning journey has been added from Sparkbook / Acocks Green to Solihull connecting to new Platinum X12 (for direct links to the Airport / NEC) on the same bus.

Service 55 - Birmingham - Washwood Heath - Chelmsley Wood
We are improving buses in Shard End by introducing one simpler route.
In response to feedback buses will now run via Pithall Road, Kendrick Avenue, Freasley Road, Packington Avenue, Hurst Lane, Longmeadow Crescent and Silver Birch Road towards Kingshurst and Chelmsley Wood. Buses will return to Birmingham the same way.
Buses will run up to every 8 minutes Monday - Saturday daytime.
More buses will run in the evening and on a Sunday.
Packington Avenue stops at Nearmoor Road and Freasley Road will no longer be served.
Alternative stops are just a short distance away on Pithall Road or Freasley Road.

Service 55A - Birmingham - Washwood Heath - Chelmsley Wood
This route will be withdrawn and replaced by an improved 55 route.
The alternative bus stop for Longmeadow School is Freasley Road.
The alternative bus stop for Berrowside Road is Silver Birch Road.

Service 56 - Birmingham - Shard End - Kingshurst
The route is withdrawn and replaced by extra buses on the 55.

Service 58 - Yardley - Solihull rail station
Buses will run more often between Yardley and Solihull, up to every 20 minutes Monday - Saturday daytime.
Between Yardley and Birmingham the 58 is replaced by an improved 60 route, which will run up to every 8 minutes Monday - Saturday daytime.
Connections are available at Yardley between routes 11A, 11C, 58, 60, X1 & X2.
Buses on the 58 will run along Gilbertstone Avenue, Clay Lane, Woodcock Lane North, Barn Lane (as now), then along Richmond Road to Station Drive for connecting trains at Olton station. From Olton station buses will run along Ulverley Green Road, Castle Lane and Lode Lane to Solihull and Solihull rail station.
Between Birmingham and Yardley an improved 60 route, will run up to every 8 minutes Monday - Saturday daytime.

Service 59 - Birmingham - Yardley - Kingshurst
This route will be withdrawn and replaced by the following changes;
Between Yardley and Birmingham the 59 is replaced by an improved 60 route, which will run up to every 8 minutes Monday - Saturday daytime.
Church Road and Queens Road are served by the 73.
Wheatcroft Road, Whittington Oval and Bembridge Road are served by TfWM 99 route.
Lea Hall Road will not be served and alternative routes are 97 from Meadway, TfWM route 99 from Bembridge Road or rail services from Lea Hall station.
Lea Ford Road in Lea Village has alternative TfWM route 99 from Gressel Lane or 14 from Kitt’s Green Road.
Packington Avenue in Shard End has an alternative 55 route from Shard End Crescent.
Hurst Lane (Morrisons) has the 55 from Longmeadow Crescent or 71/94 from Chester Road.
Over Green Drive (northern end) alternative routes are 71 from Chester Road, or (southern end) 55 from Over Green Drive.
Fordbridge Road (Kingshurst) alternative routes are 55 from Gilson Way or 71 from Cooks Lane.
Services 59A, 59C - Birmingham - Yardley - Chelmsley Wood

These routes will be withdrawn and replaced by route 72 between Chelmsley Wood and Garretts Green or route 60 between Yardley and Birmingham.

Service 60 - Birmingham - Yardley - Cranes Park
Between Birmingham and Cranes Park buses will run more often, up to every 8 minutes Monday - Saturday during the daytime.
A new timetable to help to improve reliability.

Service 66 - Birmingham - Erdington - Sutton Coldfield
Buses will be extended to serve Sutton Coldfield up to every 30 minutes Monday to Saturday daytimes.
This will replace part of the 15A / 15C routes between Erdington and Sutton Coldfield.
Between Birmingham and Erdington route 66 will not change.
Kingstanding to Erdington will be served by new 96.

Service 70 - Birmingham - Washwood Heath - Coleshill - Chelmsley Wood
Most journeys will now be replaced by the new X70 route.
One journey will remain to Birmingham, Washwood Heath and Castle Bromwich to serve Park Hall Academy. A return afternoon journey will also run.
Dunster Road and Craig Croft will no longer be served, the nearest alternative stops are Yorkminster Drive on the 14, or Chelmsley Road on new Platinum X12.

Service 71 - Chelmsley Wood - Sutton Coldfield
To help improve reliability​,​ buses will run between Chelmsley Wood and Sutton Coldfield only.
Between Chelmsley Wood and Solihull an improved 72 route will run. Connections can be made at Chelmsley Wood between routes 71 and 72.
Buses will serve Chester Road, Cooks Lane and Chelmsley Road between Castle Bromwich and Chelmsley Wood for CTC Kingshurst Academy and John Henry Newman Catholic College.

Service 72 - Chelmsley Wood - Solihull station
To help improve reliability​,​ buses will run between Chelmsley Wood and Solihull only.
Buses will run along Moorend Avenue and Alcott Lane between Chelmsley Wood and Marston Green.
The 72 will replace all 71 journeys between Chelmsley Wood and Solihull. Connections can be made at Chelmsley Wood between routes 71 and 72.
Between Birmingham and Chelmsley Wood the 72 is replaced by new Platinum X12 whilst Berwicks Lane in Chelmsley Wood is served by new X70.
Drews Lane between Bromford and Washwood Heath will not be served. Alternative stops are either Bromford Road for new Platinum X12, or Washwood Heath Road for the 55 and 94.
Double deck buses will be used on the route to help cater for demand at busier times.

Service 73 - Heartlands Hospital - Yardley - Solihull station
Buses will run more often, up to every 20 minutes Monday - Saturday daytime.
Buses will run between Heartlands Hospital and Solihull only, to help improve reliability.
All buses will serve Yardley Green Road, Belcher’s Lane and Bordesley Green for access to the main bus stops outside Heartlands Hospital.
Route 17 is an alternative link between Birmingham, Heartlands Hospital and Yardley.

Service 94 - Birmingham - Washwood Heath - Chelmsley Wood
Buses will use Chester Road and Moorend Avenue between Smiths Wood and Chelmsley Wood.

NEW Service 96 - Kingstanding - Erdington - Fort Dunlop - Chelmsley Wood
New local route replacing route 66 between Kingstanding ​& Erdington and route 966 between Erdington ​& Chelmsley Wood.
Buses will run up to every 30 minutes Monday - Saturday daytime.

Service 97 - Birmingham - Meadway - Chelmsley Wood
Buses will run more often, replacing 97A between Birmingham and Chelmsley Wood.

Service 97A - Birmingham - Meadway - Chelmsley Wood - Airport/NEC
Withdrawn and replaced by new Platinum X12 between Chelmsley Wood and the Airport/NEC.
Connections can be made at Chelmsley Wood Interchange between the 97 route and new Platinum X12 for onward travel to Airport/NEC
Buses run more often between Chelmsley Wood and the Airport/NEC, up to every 20 minutes, on new Platinum X12 route.

Service 966 - Erdington - Fort Dunlop - Chelmsley Wood - Airport/NEC - Solihull
The route will be withdrawn and replaced between Erdington and Chelmsley Wood by new 96 route and between Castle Bromwich, Smiths Wood, Chelmsley Wood and Solihull by new Platinum X12 route.

Service X1 - Birmingham - Airport/NEC - Coventry
Buses will run more often between Birmingham and Coventry, up to every 20 minutes Monday to Saturday daytime.
At peak times buses will run up to every 10 minutes Monday - Saturday daytime between Birmingham and Airport/NEC.
Buses will not stop at some bus stops on the Coventry Road, to help make journeys faster.
The stops that will be longer be served on the Coventry Road towards Birmingham city centre are Wagon Lane, Clay Lane and Deakins Road.
The stops that will be longer be served on the Coventry Road towards Coventry are Deakins Road, Yardley Swan (before) and Clay Lane.

Service X2 - Birmingham - Solihull station
New timetable will see buses running up to every 20 minutes during the day between Birmingham and Solihull.
Extra buses will run at peak times.
Old Lode Lane between Sheldon and Lode Lane will see buses run up to every 10 minutes combined with the revised 73 running up to every 20 minutes.
Buses will continue to service Solihull station.
Buses will not stop at some bus stops on Coventry Road, to help make journeys faster.
The stops that will be longer be served on the Coventry Road towards Birmingham city centre are Wagon Lane, Clay Lane and Deakins Road.
The stops that will be longer be served on the Coventry Road towards Coventry are Deakins Road, Yardley Swan (before) and Clay Lane.

NEW Platinum Service X12 - Birmingham - Bromford - Chelmsley Wood - Airport/NEC - Solihull station
New express Platinum route linking Birmingham and Bromford, Castle Bromwich and Smiths Wood with faster and more direct buses.
Buses will run non-stop along the fastest route between Birmingham and Bromford, normally Heartlands parkway or Aston Expressway.
Between Bromford, Smiths Wood, Chelmsley Wood and Solihull buses serve all stops and provide an improved link to/from the Airport/NEC with buses running up to every 20 minutes.
New early & late journeys run for improved access to the Airport/NEC.
The first bus of the day (at 0300) on the 37 from Sparkhill and Acocks Green will continue as new Platinum X12. Stay on the bus to reach the Airport/NEC. At all other times change at Solihull Station Road.

NEW Service X70 - Birmingham - Bromford - Castle Bromwich - Coleshill - Chelmsley Wood
New express route linking City and Bromford, Castle Bromwich and Coleshill.
Buses will serve Hams Hall distribution centre Monday to Saturday for shift times at 0600 and 2200.
During the day buses will run up to every hour to/from Birmingham, with extra buses running between Chelmsley Wood and Coleshill Parkway up to every 30 minutes.
At peak times extra buses run to/from Birmingham.
From Chelmsley Wood to Coleshill, buses will use Moorend Avenue, Berwicks Lane, Helmswood Drive, Chelmsley Road and Coleshill Heath Road.
From Coleshill to Birmingham buses follow current 70 route to Coleshill Road/Chipperfield Road, then along Chipperfield Road and Bromford Drive. From Bromford Drive buses will run fast (non-stop) to Birmingham using the quickest route, either Heartlands Parkway or Aston Expressway, dependent upon traffic conditions.

Service S1 - Solihull - Damsonwood circular
The route is replaced in part by new Platinum X12 route.
The new Platinum X12 route runs between Solihull, Rowood Drive and Damson Parkway towards the Airport/NEC.
Buses will no longer run along Huxbey Drive and Whar Hall Road.
Damson Way between Lugtrout Lane and Damson Lane will no longer be served. Alternative stops for Barnfield Drive, Cloudbridge Drive and Merstal Drive are on Damson Lane for new Platinum X12 route.

http://nxbus.co.uk/west-midlands/in...ham-service-changes-from-sunday-4th-june-2017
 

bussnapperwm

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I just hope that they dont start messing around with the buses in Stourbridge and Kingswinford as it will be definitely chaotic

Last time I did that we lost the circular routes and gained an Express route... which became stopping at all stops
 

Statto

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RIP to the 966, been operating since the Timesaver brand was introduced, initially Wolverhampton-Airport, before being cut to Walsall, current route is a shadow of it's former self Erdington-Solihull, but like the X12 bringing new through links rather than changing buses at Airport/International Station.
 

Statto

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I expect more of the 9xx series to be renumbered into the Xxx series, rotatably 9xx that goes via Perry Barr, seems daft to have some 9xx series renumbered to the Xxx range but not all the 9xx series.
 

Alex 2901

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Another service review, and this time, it's Dudleys turn to get screwed over...

Good points (subjectively)
* A new Dudley Road Express service
* Increased frequency on the 140
* Kingswinford linked to Birmingham once again
* Possible reinstatement of the Stourbridge Circulars
* Shorter and more frequent X96, no longer serving Wollaston and Wrens Nest.
* Shorter 276, no longer serving Norton and
Wollaston.
* More frequent 27s, up to every 30 minutes

Likely bad points
* Northway loses its bus service entirely
* The 81 becomes significantly more convoluted, and gains a section it honestly doesn't need.
* Dudley to Kingswinford via Russell's Hall (205) is scrapped
* Dudley to Halesowen via Quinton (241) is scrapped
* The X10 becomes closer to resembling the original 258 at every set of changes, as it will be extended from Pensnett to Kingswinford to cover the 205's withdrawal.
* The 74 becomes 2 separate routes (Dudley to WB, and WB to Birmingham)
 

adrock1976

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What's it called? It's called Cumbernauld
Another service review, and this time, it's Dudleys turn to get screwed over...

Good points (subjectively)
* A new Dudley Road Express service
* Increased frequency on the 140
* Kingswinford linked to Birmingham once again
* Possible reinstatement of the Stourbridge Circulars
* Shorter and more frequent X96, no longer serving Wollaston and Wrens Nest.
* Shorter 276, no longer serving Norton and
Wollaston.
* More frequent 27s, up to every 30 minutes

Likely bad points
* Northway loses its bus service entirely
* The 81 becomes significantly more convoluted, and gains a section it honestly doesn't need.
* Dudley to Kingswinford via Russell's Hall (205) is scrapped
* Dudley to Halesowen via Quinton (241) is scrapped
* The X10 becomes closer to resembling the original 258 at every set of changes, as it will be extended from Pensnett to Kingswinford to cover the 205's withdrawal.
* The 74 becomes 2 separate routes (Dudley to WB, and WB to Birmingham)

Regarding the Stourbridge circulars, does this refer to the former 289/290, 293, 294/5, and 298/9 that were operated by West Midlands Travel using minibuses back in the late 1980s/ early 1990s?

Also, what is the 27 in the Dudley area? The only 27 I have always been aware of in the West Midlands is the one that ran between Kings Heath (All Saints Road) and either Hawkesley/Sporting Parson/Kings Norton Station. I used this bus when visiting my grandmother who resided up the hill from Northfield station.

The one that stands out in the list above is the splitting of the 74, breaking several overlapping journeys eg Great Bridge - The Hawthorns/Handsworth.
 

Alex 2901

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The 27 in its current form is what had used to be the old 527, and before that 541, so Wolverhampton, Goldthorn Park, Northway, Sedgley & Gornal Wood to Dudley. But, by the proposal in place, the 27/A will only cover Sedgley to Dudley, with Wolverhampton to Goldthorn Park being covered by an amended 81.

And the Stourbridge Circulars relates to what I think were the 294 and 295, before being merged with the 276 and X96 around 2009/10
 

Statto

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I suspect the proposed 74 split is due to reliability on the A41, which is a nightmare at the best of times Hockley to the M5, then add in West Brom FC home matches it becomes even worse.
 

Alex 2901

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A more detailed overview has been shown to me, for changes around Dudley/Stourbridge this autumn

Hagley Road routes
9 - Timetable amendments
12 - New route replacing the 120
12A - New route replacing the 120A between Birmingham and Oldbury, and the 121 between Oldbury & Dudley.
13 - New route replacing the 128
13A - New route replacing the 127 and 129.
15 - New route, partially replacing the 126 between Birmingham and Dudley.
X8 - New route, partially replacing the 126 between Wolverhampton and Dudley, and the 140 between Dudley and Birmingham. Will operate Limited Stop between Quinton Church and City Centre.
X10 - Route extended from Pensnett Trading Estate to Gornal Wood High Street.

Dudley Road routes
X7 - New route partially replacing the 126 between Wolverhampton and Dudley, and supplementing the 87 between Dudley, Oldbury & Birmingham.

Dudley & Merry Hill Local routes
3 - New service replacing the 289.
3A - New service replacing the 121 between West Bromwich and Oldbury, and the 120A between Oldbury and Blackheath.
205 - Frequency decreased to hourly.
222 - Rerouted in the Bromley area, to avoid duplication with the 255. Some evening and Sunday journeys withdrawn.
241 - Will operate via Kates Hill, New Birmingham Road, Oakham and Portway, to replace withdrawn 127. Some evening and Sunday journeys withdrawn.
 

Alex 2901

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The South Birmingham changes have been registered, and from information we have to go on... appear to be the worst set of changes so far, as there are a lot of lost links, and not many new ones either...
Note: these may not be 100% accurate currently, as I used reports and some educated guesswork to go on; this will be updated when additional information comes to light.

1 - Five Ways to Gospel Oak
Changes: New service 1A introduced, operating from QE Hospital to Acocks Green, Via Edgbaston Cricket Ground and Moseley. Between Edgbaston and Acocks Green, buses will operate every 10 minutes.

22 - City to Woodgate via Harborne
23 - City to Woodgate via Harborne
24 - City to North Woodgate via Harborne
29 - City to Frankley via Harborne
Changes: Services 22 and 29 withdrawn. See 27, X20, X21 and X22 for replacements.
23 terminus will now be Bartley Green, Romsley Road.
24 terminus will now be North Woodgate, Simmonds Drive.

27 - Maypole to Hawkesley via Northfield
Changes: Northfield to Hawkesley will now be served by an extension to the 48.
The 27 will operate to Harborne, The Green Man, via Shenley Fields, replacing service 29 in this area.

45 - City to Longbridge via Cotteridge
47 - City to Cofton Hackett via Cotteridge
Changes: Service 47 will no longer operate to Cofton Hackett. See new service X20 for a replacement. 47 terminus will now be Longbridge, Bristol Road A38.

48 - West Bromwich to Northfield
48A - West Bromwich to Bearwood
Changes: The 48 will no longer serve Weoley Castle, operating via Selly Oak, Bournville, Cotteridge, Kings Norton, Hawkesley and West Heath, replacing service 84 between the QE Hospital and Hawkesley, and service 27 between Hawkesley and Northfield.

63 - City to Frankley via Bristol Road
Changes: New terminus will be Gannow.

84 - QE Hospital to Hawkesley
Changes: Service withdrawn. See service 48 for a replacement.

98 - City to Rubery, Gt Park via QE Hosp
X64 - City to Woodgate via QE Hospital
Changes: Services withdrawn. See new service X22 for a replacement along Edgbaston Park Road, and X20 for a replacement to Northfield, Rednal and Longbridge.

X20 - City to Cofton Hackett via Northfield
X21 - City to The Woodcock via QE Hosp
X22 - City to Woodgate via QE Hospital
Changes: New services replacing 22, 29, 98 and X64. X20 and X21 will operate along Bristol Road and Aston Webb Boulevard to the QE Hospital, while X22 will use Bath Row, Five Ways, Edgbaston Park Road and The Vale. Beyond the QE Hospital, X20 will operate along the current 98 route, terminating in Cofton Hackett, rather than continuing onwards to Great Park. X21 will operate to The Woodcock, with X22 operating along Bristol Road, then via the current X64 route to Bartley Green, Kitwell and Woodgate.
 
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bussnapperwm

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The South Birmingham changes have been registered, and from information we have to go on... appear to be the worst set of changes so far, as there are a lot of lost links, and not many new ones either...


1 - Five Ways to Gospel Oak
Changes: New service 1A introduced, operating from QE Hospital to Acocks Green, Via Edgbaston Cricket Ground and Moseley. Between Edgbaston and Acocks Green, buses will operate every 10 minutes.

22 - City to Woodgate via Harborne
23 - City to Woodgate via Harborne
24 - City to North Woodgate via Harborne
29 - City to Frankley via Harborne
Changes: Services 22 and 29 withdrawn. See 27, X20, X21 and X22 for replacements.
23 terminus will now be Bartley Green, Romsley Road.
24 terminus will now be North Woodgate, Simmonds Drive.

27 - Maypole to Hawkesley via Northfield
Changes: Northfield to Hawkesley will now be served by an extension to the 48.
The 27 will operate to Harborne, The Green Man, via Shenley Fields, replacing service 29 in this area.

45 - City to Longbridge via Cotteridge
47 - City to Cofton Hackett via Cotteridge
Changes: Service 47 will no longer operate to Cofton Hackett. See new service X20 for a replacement. 47 terminus will now be Longbridge, Bristol Road A38.

48 - West Bromwich to Northfield
48A - West Bromwich to Bearwood
Changes: The 48 will now operate to Hawkesley, Shannon Road, via West Heath, replacing service 27 in this area.

63 - City to Frankley via Bristol Road
Changes: New terminus will be Gannow.

98 - City to Rubery, Gt Park via QE Hosp
X64 - City to Woodgate via QE Hospital
Changes: Services withdrawn. See new service X22 for a replacement along Edgbaston Park Road, and X20 for a replacement to Northfield, Rednal and Longbridge.

X20 - City to Cofton Hackett via Northfield
X21 - City to The Woodcock via QE Hosp
X22 - City to Woodgate via QE Hospital
Changes: New services replacing 22, 29, 98 and X64. X20 and X21 will operate along Bristol Road and Aston Webb Boulevard to the QE Hospital, while X22 will use Bath Row, Five Ways, Edgbaston Park Road and The Vale. Beyond the QE Hospital, X20 will operate along the current 98 route, terminating in Cofton Hackett, rather than continuing onwards to Great Park. X21 will operate to The Woodcock, with X22 operating along Bristol Road, then via the current X64 route to Bartley Green, Kitwell and Woodgate.
That looks...fun
 

Statto

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Apparently according to another forum, X61 will be renumbered 61 & have the platinum buses removed for standard buses with the platinums going elsewhere.
 
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