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There is a red and white liveried Lodekka that seems to live at the far end of the SVR Kidderminster station car park.
Does the SVR use it?

There is a very recent UTube clip on the sole Coventry VLR tram at the Dudley test centre
https://youtu.be/gomiV4LrPzg?si=IgtK8RXqiZgB5Io4

Only part of the return loop seems to be the new road profile track and the rest looks standard rail track.
Impressive acceleration once out on the 'main' line.
Spotted 3 other types of rail vehicles.

It doesn't matter where the funding is coming from though, at the end of the day all this money is being conjured up out of thin air and has to be paid back with interest as a tax burden over the long-term, while the developers, contractors, consultants and other private 'stakeholders' benefit financially in the short-term.

As I said earlier this is a case of spending money for the sake of spending money.

In the case of Coventry, the money would be better spent on improving bus priority measures for existing bus services.

IMO the source of the funding is significant and may well be politically charged. It was rumoured the VLR idea and most of the funding came from Westminster as a softener because Coventry has lost out to the benefits of HS2 (and has been by passed) and is also no longer to be a part of the Midland Metro network. 

From what I understand vlr is still being developed. It's chances of survival as a project after the next election could well be questionable? 

I would agree, it's a waste of money, Coventry doesn't need this, there are already frequent bus services connecting the city centre and railway station.

Buses give a much more flexible service.

IIUC the VLR is mainly funded by DfT in London and Coventry was the chosen guinea pig (victim)? 

The local paper has now picked up on the negative comments on VLR 

https://www.coventrytelegraph.net/news/coventry-news/readers-disapprove-plans-build-coventry-28741166

[Coventry]

Plans to trial a futuristic public transport system on the streets of Coventry have taken a step foward. A bid to build a 'demonstrator track' for Coventry Very Light Rail (CVLR) was sent in for permission by the council this month.

Work to build the track is likely to start in autumn 2024 and the the first part could be finished by next year, plans say. But people won't be able to use its battery powered vehicle to get around just yet, the report adds, as the aim of the demonstrator is to prove the system works in practice.

https://www.coventrytelegraph.net/news/local-news/futurisic-transport-system-coventry-takes-28715299

This was Leamington's 27213 working a Warwick University bound U1 which somehow 'missed' the off slip to Stoneleigh Junction.

Could have been nasty if it came down the embankment! Hope all on board were OK.

SC bus had an incident on the A46 in Warwickshire.
Looks like it has done some field ploughing?
Except for the photo there is not much detail in the paper.

https://www.coventrytelegraph.net/news/local-news/tesla-driver-fined-recording-video-28699900

[today]

Wasn't sure where to post this so started a new thread. Hope this is OK?

SC 60 operates only across Coventry.

Interesting situation tomorrow morning as part of the SC 60 route is blocked for about 2 weeks at Willenhall Lane.
I've not found it mentioned in their Service Updates so do they know about it?

First bus tomorrow should reach there at about 0630. Will watch to see what happens.

Wonder what the detour will be to continue to serve both Willenhall shops and WSP - A46 bypass maybe?

Well done to NXC who have already reported their solution for the 13 service.

SC appear to have just announced today the SC 60 is indeed diverted due to the above roadworks at Willenhall Lane. Noted the diversion has been in place since 12 February and ends this week. Better late than never I suppose?
https://www.stagecoachbus.com/service-updates/serviceupdatesarticle 
The web item is dated 21 February.

Earlier this week even some of the drivers weren't sure if the diversion was still in place so appears that SC traffic planners missed this one.

Still listed on vosa as a base for 30 vehicles

Any recent sightings of Harry Shaw coaches using Mill Lane? Seems very quiet these days.

Some news spreading round the garage like wild fire at the moment is us pulling out of the 85 (plus 24&25). Rumors are August. As I say only a rumor at the moment

If so, this could give SC yet another small gain of services in the Coventry patch?

Well done Stu.

Not shown in the table but use is made of BYD ADL E400EV's on the NXC 85 in the mornings & afternoons mainly for heavy school traffic and occasionally other 85 services. 

If anyone is up early and in a sleepy Warwickshire hamlet like Monks Kirby (where they reverse to turn around) it is strange seeing THREE BYD ADL E400EV's follow each other almost in convoy (85H / 85 and 85S) all heading to Rugby.

Two duties on the 60 and 703 were converted to double deck in September, at the request of TfWM, in order to cope with heavy schooltime loads.  This is when 10729, 10731 and 10733 were transferred to Nuneaton garage - the first DDs there for several years.

Coventry City Council funding cuts being reported including removal of the expanded capacity on a school's bus route 60.
https://edemocracy.coventry.gov.uk/mgEPetitionDisplay.aspx?ID=477&RPID=24153991&HPID=24153991

Do they mean the deckers on the SC 60 route? If so they  didn't last for long.

The road bridge is quite narrow and has a sharp dog leg corner on the Willenhall side. The bridge has been there for a long time (since the rlwy opened? - in horse and cart days maybe?) and has seen many bumps and scrapes over the years. It is well beyond its sell by date. Try StreetView and you will see what I mean.

To sort it all out would need more land and there's none spare.