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Some (actually a lot) of the comments were unsubstantiated rubbish, these new Electric buses are the future, they are comfortable, quite and fairly quick. When the Platinums arrived they were the most impressive buses since the Timesaver metrobuses from 1986. For me the new Electrics are even better. The only problem with them is their seating capacity is a bit low at 65 which is 8 less than a Platinum and 12 less than an Enviro, the main daytime will be fine, but peaks may struggle, buses going towards Perry Barr are carrying more than a year ago. I hoping than come September there will be peak frequency increases on the 33 and 907. If passenger numbers are increasing the last thing we need is them been put off by packed buses especially with Parker on the prowl.

The Platinums are probably some of the most uninspiring buses ever conceived. 

I foresee these headlines appearing in the next few years:

LABOUR MAYOR ASKS FOR REFUND FOR THE MAGICAL SEEDS HE BOUGHT - APPARENTLY MONEY TREES DON'T ACTUALLY GROW MONEY ON THEM!

NO LECCY, NO LIKEY! LABOUR REALISES THAT NATIONALISING THE UTILITIES DOESN'T WORK AND IS A TAD EXPENSIVE.

(The following day's headline) PARKER'S ELECTRIC BUSES SIT IDLE AS UNFORTUNATELY THEY CAN'T RUN ON ONLY HIS HOT AIR!

(Followed closely by...) DIESEL IS BACK! PARKER SIGNS DEAL WITH WYTHALL TRANSPORT MUSEUM TO GET REPLACEMENT VEHICLES FOR HIS ELECTRICS.

LABOUR DECIDES TO NATIONALISE ITSELF!!!

(And in 4 years time hopefully!!!) STREET'S AHEAD, AT LAST THIS NIGHTMARE CAN END 🤣🤣🤣

I'm not sure it's worth getting so upset about, no matter who controls the buses you'll always have a steering wheel waiting for you! 

Isn't that what happened pre 26 October 1986?                                                         

Pretty much - Although probably a few less sleepwalkers compared to today's inhabitants of B19 3SD.

Not sure I would want to be the end user of a bus service controlled and organised by the sleepwalkers of 16 Summer Lane...

Seems to go unnoticed on here the currently unacceptable reliability of the 49 and 76 services caused by the constant breaking down of 20 year old Tridents.

I know the 'Electric buses are delayed' excuse will be wheeled out - but the question is How much longer will this daily farce go on at the expense of providing a reliable service for the public?

That will no doubt be answered at an internal disciplinary meeting.

Perhaps it was just a simple honest mistake, that will cost someone their job and livelihood.

Hopefully will be answered in a driver conduct meeting in front of the Traffic Commissioner, would be more appropriate.

It's only a temp messure (Im not entirely sure we're allowed to post why they're not on it atm). Electrics will be back on them eventually

Presumably due to recent guidance issued by NX around leaving Electrics unattended without supervision.

It isn't the only site that Transport for West Midlands own in the West Midlands that is capable of being a bus depot and certainly doesn't sound like it will be the last.

It seems a waste to fund 20 vehicles that can hardly ever be used. And when there's no idea when they will be able to return to service either it seems, not a good situation for nx.
They seem to have had issues since they first entered service over 2 years ago.

The electric vehicles in Coventry do seem to be performing a lot better than these.

Yeah because the funding was designed with the intention they would hardly ever be used right?

If someone who worked for one company sets up a new one 15 years later it doesn't make it a successor.

On that basis Banga Travel is a successor to WMPTE

Nobody mentioned anything about anyone working for past companies as an employee.

Surname of the proprietor is the same, but can't see any other link

Successors don't necessarily have the exact same proprietors! 

So it's official!! Although it's going to a company I've never even heard of....and surely I'm not the only one?

I understand that it is a successor to a former Walsall operator that lasted a few years some 15 years ago...

99 (YX11 CTV) has re-appeared at Chaserider, I'm unsure as to why but unless it was only ever on loan to D&G Bus and has now returned permanently to Cannock I don't know?

Should ask the Inspectors that are "in the know" about the future of the 19!

Further industrial action to affect National Express West Midlands.

*If* the driver gossip of a permanent service cut is true, then I think TfWM should focus on providing their statutory services and not having operators dictating odds to them. The commercial 29 seems to have as much trouble (if not more!) and we don't see that ceasing operation at 3pm.

Perhaps a new supplier is the way forward, and the incumbent could focus on somewhere else, Pye Green might be a start.