Topics

Firstly, an excellent collection of photos - takes me right back!

Choice 2 (wmbusphotos.com) is shown as location Wolverhampton. It's actually approaching Leamore, The Rosum passing over the traffic lights with the old Black Horse (?) pub behind it.

To compliment @Tony 's comprehensive coverage of NX vehicles at Hartshorne Volvo, Pensnett, here's some of the other operators' vehicles seen currently in their care from publicly accessible areas:

Sargeant Brothers              T600NTS (ex Lothian Buses SN56ATT)               
Alan Davies Travel              A2ADT
JRS, West Bromwich           HRZ1851

FirstGroup plc has announced that it has signed an agreement to buy Ensign Bus Company:

https://www.linkedin.com/posts/coach-and-bus-week-limited_breaking-news-firstgroup-plc-has-today-announced-activity-7028992296645730305-Qn_v?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop

NB: The Ensignbus heritage fleet is excluded from this transaction.

The Optare Solo appears to have gained somewhat of a bad press in some threads (notably Chaserider and Diamond), with much criticism levied at their reliability, are they as bad as people make them out to be?

I've driven two Solos in my time and found them to be a very reliable and versatile bus - granted, neither were in service or given a hard time, but reliable for a long distance drive.

From a driving position, they had good all-round visibility save for the front pillars against the huge windscreen and they held motorway speeds very well. The one thing I didn't like were the ZX81-esque touch button controls that were well worn and had to press very hard on some to get any output.

From a passengers perspective, I've ridden on many and were a comfortable and functional ride for what they are.

Chaserider have a row of failed/ageing Solos lined up at Cannock, but only replicates the scenes at Choice with the ubiquitous Leyland Nationals that adorned most fleets.

So, what's your thoughts? Have you driven them, have you ridden on them?

Just found these photos of 1792 (KOM792P) when we hired it for the Walsall Show c. 1997.

Interior shot with partial studio, rear and NSR quarter, still in dual door configuration. I think @Tony drove it down for us!

Any other memories or photos around?

I've noticed that NXC blinds have the route number back on the left hand side of the front destination displays, where NXWM have kept theirs on the right hand side. Is there a reason for this or just a change?

Does anyone have a list or know of a website that tells you who owns what locomotive/rolling stock, similar to the WM Bus Photos main website?

I'm intrigued to see locos like   37292 (wmbusphotos.com) in Regional Railways livery, but would like to see who owns this and other locos shown.

Any help would be appreciated!

Does anyone know which garage/operator does the 0720 Birmingham to Heathrow service? Nothing on their website to indictae other than it's a Megabus own service.

47727 seen pulling UID Greater Anglia units through Wolverhampton at 16.30hrs yesterday.

Anyone know where it was coming from/going to?

Did the Metro ever have its own fleet of replacement buses? I'm convinced it had Lynxes parked at Wednesbury or the like in the early days, instead of drawing cover from TWM?

Can anyone help?

@Tony - any plans for commemorative buses at each garage for Her Majesty's Platinum Jubilee as they did for the Golden Jubilee?

Have you, or any contacts, got lists of old WMPTE/WMT/WM Buses/TWM/NXWM destination blinds?

I've recently acquired a printer that can print onto vinyl/Tyvek-type laminate and want to test it. If it works, I'd then like to produce and offer one for trial.

Can anyone help?

Being part of the bus and train fraternity is like being part of one big (dysfunctional) family. It can be the most amazing feeling, and sometimes it can get very fraught and fractious with everyone's different opinions, like with every family.

Whatever we've posted, whatever we've discussed, and no matter how many times we've fallen out, we'll all have something in common - our love and interest in transport.

I want to thank @Tony and the team of moderators that give us a forum to share our thoughts and experiences. There is an inordinate amount of work that goes into running, administrating and moderating a forum and this is done voluntarily with great personal sacrifice. Thank you to each and every one of you for your hard work and dedication!!!

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to each and every forum member - the world is a very strange place and no one really knows what will happen next year, though I wish you a safe, prosperous and bus and train-filled 2022.

Two of the Sky Blue city's finest having a run out today:

E022 heading north along A38 (initially alerted by one of our in-cab cameras heading in the opposite direction).

6951 in Birmingham - stopped at Digbeth/Bradford Street (private hire?)

One of the latest photos to be posted of 3301 below - a fantastic photo captured with the rain emphasised in-shot. I'd like to think that this was accounted for and not just coincidental.

Hats off to the photographer for this!

http://wmbusphotos.com/NXWM/4001-4224/3301.html

National Express West Midlands have teamed up with local radio station, Wolverhampton's 101.8 WCR FM, to sponsor their drivetime show.

The package sees NXWM sponsor their the drivetime show with Stuart Hickman between 4-7pm weekdays, and airs the new "Brill Buses" commercials voiced by 'This Morning' presenter Alison Hammond, and

The deal also sees NXWM providing buses for their outside broadcasts and roadshows around Wolverhampton, with the first being this Friday for Local Radio Day at Wolverhampton Bus Station between 2-4pm.

What's the furthest you know that a bus operates a school service?

WA do CG4 Handsacre to Cannock, and the SFA1 & SFA2 Wilnecote to St. Francis of Assisi. These are quite a jaunt in dead mileage and then the route itself.

Historically, Midland Choice did 830 Walsall - Aldridge - KEGS Handsworth from their Watery Lane garage (hell of a jaunt back in 1993!)

Which buses do you know that have spent their entire life at one garage? This can be for any company over any time frame.

2274 - GOG724W - MCW Metrobus Mk I spent its whole life at Wolverhampton (Cleveland Road then to Park Lane). 28 years service to one garage.
2887 & 2888 - C887FON & C888FON - MCW Metrobus Mk II spent their whole lives at Walsall. 24 years years service.

What are the oldest buses in regular service/use you know of? These can be service, private hire or ancillary work where they perform a critical function.

Former NXWM Timesaver Metrobus DP D957NDA has been in regular use at Wolverhampton as their Bistro Bus for drivers to take rest breaks on, and forms part of the heritage fleet available for private hire work.

Any others?

[Have you seen an increase in self isolation where you work (bus/coach companies especially)?]

With the lifting of Covid restrictions on 19th July, many employers are facing staff staff shortages and retention, with people leaving for "better" jobs elsewhere.

Following a meeting I've had with a large bus operator today, they are suffering hugely with swathes of drivers self isolating following pings from the Test & Trace app, or leaving to drive HGVs or for other PCV based companies with higher rates of pay, though not necessarily better conditions.

A couple of questions I'd love your replies to (and please adhere to forum rules):

Have you seen an increase in self isolation where you work (bus/coach companies especially)?

Would you leave your current job just for better money?