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Tony, is the StreetDeck going to be used in service or is it only with NXWM for assessment? Is there serious interest in the vehicle for possible future acquisitions?

National Express to takeover Stagecoach Group? Really. Would there be any implications for West Midlands operations?

Any info on todays photo showing First 33728 apparently in Moor St Queensway?

Any thoughts on the vehicle behind 6968 which appears to have an 'unusual' livery with orange across the front of the vehicle below the windscreen?

Just an impression but have more Platinums on Sutton routes lost the vinyl plague on their rear windows. Is the blockade finally over? Have NXWM decided to share the light with its fare paying passengers? Can passengers finally leave their reading lights at home and no longer have to shield their eyes when they step off a Platinum into the light? Hopefully yes but time will tell. Could just be that they just haven't got round to blocking out windows missed first time round!

today that the Solihull and Brierley metro extensions are already tens of millions over budget and that efforts are being made to bring them back into line with their respective budgets. Can't help but wonder whether any of it is due to the fact that by the time any 'real' progress appears to be made on metro schemes 'today's prices' must be little more than a fond memory. Presumably contingencies are included at the outset. If not surely the schemes are pretty much guaranteed to exceed budget provision?

Is anyone aware of the likely timescale for trams to start appearing in the new blue livery and new branding? Presumably the work will be done in- house.

Given all the current noise regarding TfWM corporate branding and liveries does anyone have an understanding of the implications for NXWM vehicles? I assume the 2 tone red livery for buses is the existing NXWM livery. But does it mean that all other operators will have to paint their vehicles in that same livery? And will all vehicles including NXWM have to be branded with the new TfWM logo for buses? Has it actually been approved yet for buses, trams and trains or are they proposals at present?

Appear to be an increasing number of new drive technology demonstrator vehicles being produced by the major bus manufacturers. These vehicles appear to be under evaluation by many of the bus operators large and not so large. Was wondering whether NXWM planned to have any on trial in the foreseeable future. Would be good to have something different to comment on and discuss.

The training livery looks really good as used on the Scania. Almost prefer it to the standard crimson livery. Almost!

reading the latest copy of a well known bus magazine. At several points I stopped and re read an article simply because it was so interesting. Most of the large bus companies featured in the edition, sadly with the exception of NXWM, each providing info and updates on their current initiatives and operations. What could we suggest as an article about NXWM that would make readers sit up and take notice other than details of a few withdrawals/reinstatements?

(Temporary Road Restriction and Traffic Regulation) Order 2017 published today. Comes into force 22nd June.
Imminent progress?

Now that all the expected Platinum vehicles appear to have been received does that complete the current order or are there any 'crimson' vehicles still to be delivered? Out of interest what period does a years order cover? April to March the following year?

So what do we think of the new purple/orange livery to be applied in the near future to units operating 'local' services under the name West Midlands Railway as required by the terms of the new WM franchise formerly operated by London Midland. Certainly different. Not sure how 'local' is defined. Only those services operating wholly within the West Midlands region or will London and Liverpool get a sighting of the new livery?

Does the £183 million confirmed today for the new Curzon Street and onwards metro line, included as part of the £1 billion investment plan based on HS2, mean that we will see some positive action on the new line sooner rather than later. Sounds as though development could begin before HS2 arrives in Birmingham

Apparently the West Midlands ITA is considering approving the retro fitting of batteries to the 21 new CAF trams to allow catenary free operation possibly on the extension to Centenary Square. It is also considering ordering now the 4 extra trams needed for the Broad Street extension partly so that their spec will match the existing fleet. No shortage of interesting metro news.

The official press release by the West Midlands Combined Authority says that the proposed devo-deal with the Government which has just been announced will support the proposed Metro extension to Brierley Hill. Good news. Let's just hope our local politicians get it right and don't prejudice the deal!

So does the pending arrival of a Wrightbus Streetdeck 'seed' in the NXWM fleet suggest that NX's alleged exclusive contract with ADL is not 'exclusive' as we understand the use of the word but is in fact a contract between the two parties under which ADL will supply and NXWM will acquire an agreed number of vehicle during the period of the contract i.e. 5 years. This could then leave NXWM the option of acquiring additional vehicles from another supplier over and above the numbers agreed with ADL subject, of course, to the necessary funds being available. If this is not the case it seems strange that Wrightbus will make the Streetdeck available knowing that no order for the vehicle could follow for at least 4 years. Also why would NX want a one off vehicle with whatever costs are involved again knowing that even if they are impressed by its performance they can't order any for that 4 year period. Looking forward to seeing the vehicle when it arrives but find the circumstances of its arrival a bit difficult to understand.
Any thoughts anyone?

from North Birmingham and beyond Diamond is rapidly becoming an extinct species in that area. Does anyone else feel that slowly but surely Diamond are being forced to look for pastures new to run its services?  It doesn't seem able to stand up to competition in Birmingam and it's outer environs.

Tony can you remind us, or rather me, what the various colours used in the fleet listings indicate. Thanks.