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The cycle lane on Jennens road had now been removed and replaced with the bus lane  that preceded it.
Not sure if that's just for the Commonwealth Games period, but it will help reduce the one lane gridlock that happens. 
Thank goodness. I think I've only ever noticed about 2 bikes using it since it was stupidly introduced 2 years ago.

There are two new bus stops installed on corporation street opposite The Square Peg. So either there will be two lane traffic or it's reverting to its old direction of traffic. Not sure which bus services will be using the new stops or when they'll be operational as there is still a lot of road works to do in that area.

Noticed a destination display change today. 94 now shows Via Ward End and Saltley. 95 Showing Via Shard End and Kingshurt.
However I'm not sure if it's currently both garages.

Letter in the post today from HS2.

Saltley Viaduct will be closed from Summer 2022 to Autumn 2023 for HS2 works. That's not going to be fun! All diversions will be published at a later date.

For those interested, the Buses yearbook 2016 is now out. I'll have to wait until my birthday in November before I get to read it, but had a flick through in Ian Allen. There is a chapter on early low floor buses operated by Travel West Midlands. From Volvo B6LE to Presidents, with everything in between. 😃

Every bus stop I've used since Boxing Day in various parts of the city have had incorrect real time information with as many as 5 'Due' buses disappearing. The bus stop information is different to the NXWM app information and the arrival of buses doesn't match either.
Are the IT people on holiday or maybe they aren't even aware?

The latest photo of 2205 from Ronnie Morgans collection shows it in the paint shop freshly painted into the most recent of Metrobus liveries. I only ever knew 2400 to carry this livery in service. Was 2205 withdrawn and sold shortly afterwards or did it see service like this and I just missed it?

With the arrival of 4995 soon, we are fast reaching the end of the 4*** sequence of fleetnumbers.
Where do we think they will go next? NX could have another 400 new double deckers before having to 'jump' over the hybrids. Could they go back to 3000 giving a full block of a 1000? Maybe in a few years time we could have 3225 Enviro 400MMC in Birmingham livery, just like the previous two?

Today I had a journey on 4502 on the 94. When did this bus actually re enter service following it's repairs from fire damage? It's certainly the first time I've seen it since.
There is a new upper rear end, and it looks like all the seats have been re trimmed. However there is still quite a strong smoke smell upstairs (like that of burnt fabric and plastic, not cigarettes!)

Is anyone travelling to London next weekend (12/13th July) for the Routemaster 60 celebrations?

I can't believe it's been 10years since the last one! I'll be there on Saturday, and possibly Sunday if I can find somewhere cheap enough to stay over.

Over the last couple of days, work has been carried out at the 8C stop at Saltley in Adderley Road. The bus stop layby has been rebuilt, so it now stops on the road. So far the layby for the 8A remains unaltered.
Is Saltley Gate no longer a timing point? It would now be very inconvenient for buses to stay parked at that stop for any longer than normal loading/unloading.

I haven't seen this mentioned or advertised anywhere, but the 14 now uses Curzon Street and Cardigan Street before joining Jennens Road and now cuts out the congestion hotspot of the Middleway.

As just reported on BBC midlands today, the first of the new trams has been delivered.

Tram 17 is in standard silver and pink livery, with a bright and roomy interior. Bright green and red seats with bright green poles.
The only downside I can see is the seats have hardly any padding and look very uncomfortable. Delivery will be about 1 a month.

Apologies if I've missed it somewhere, but today I saw 1562 at Miller Street. It's front end totally ripped off. How, why and when information would be grateful. Don't recall hearing about that one.

Hopefully there are enough forum users who work for NXWM who could maybe pass this on to whoever programmes the destination displays at Birmingham Central.

For the past couple of weeks the 90 route has been showing its display as Chelmsley. Could they not be bothered with adding 'Wood' at the end? Any reason why they are showing their destination as a place, although used by people, it doesn't actually exist. I personally think it looks tacky and unprofessional.

What next? 67 to The Vale?

Whilst looking out some photos for another thread, I came across this Frontline Coach

http://www.flickr.com/photos/58309111@N03/7170168788/

and this Leyland Leopard.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/58309111@N03/7170140686/


They both seem to have the First f logo in the window, but surely this was much later 1999/2000? These photos are around 1995/6

Ive zoomed in on both, but cannot make out the wording under the 'f'.

Could it be that when Bagerline and GRT merged to become First, they remembered this little 'f' from a small fleet in the Midlands?

Would be interesting to get more information if anyone know any?

Hello all.

I have been asked for some information on the 14 route from Birmingham City Transport and its short workings. I have managed to get the following information, but still have some missing gaps. Can anyone with a good memory help?

14 - Tile Cross Estate Via Kitts Green
14A - Gosta Green
14B - Nechells Place, Saltley Road
14C - ?
14D - Crossfield Road, Kitts Green Road
14E - Kitts Green Lea Village
14F - Mackadown Lane St.Giles Road

I believe these were the numbers from April 1955 to February 1967
I know that the 14E was renumbered 14H and that the 14J was Meadway, Kitts Green Road.
I dont know what the other short workings were. 14C, Stechford maybe? With the introduction of 14H and 14J there must have been a further 2 added somewhere. Burney Lane? Saltley Gate?

Any help is greatly appreciated!

Ive seen a photo on google images of a NX Dundee B7 Gemini that has been de-roofed in a low bridge incident. Could not get any info on the site the photo was connected to.

Does anyone know when this was? What bus was involved? and is it being repaired?

Whilst waiting at stop BS9 today on Priory Queensway, I noticed that the electronic display was working. However instead of any information for the 55, 55A and 94, it read
"7 9 9s 10 10H 22 23 24 &more"

There were also vans parked up working on other displays. The vans themselves had London buses roundels on them and working with TfL notices on the sides. For a split second I thought I had got lost!

I seem to recall that when the Midland Metro was new, I read that all staff at the Midland Metro depot were trained in driving the trams. Including all management and even admin staff. Is this still the case if ever that was the case?