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Looks like some of BC's new Enviro 200s may be entering service today. 803 was heading along the Hagley Road in Edgbaston (Not is Service) at around 8.20 this morning, towards Bearwood & Halesowen, presumably to take up duties on the 99.

There are still some B6s on the 99 today though.

Sounds about right, converting a couple of boards a day until Sunday (although Sunday is a reduced service, we may not see them all until Monday) when the emission zone comes in and the B6LE can't be used.

NXWM don't run the 99 on Sundays

Just seen the pic of the new midi bus and looks a lot better than the hill top crap Arriva have the longer length seems to fit in with the NXWM fleet they will look nice on the black country routes at PN and hopefully WB as long as the Russells hall Chavs don't wreck them

Apart form the length, there is very little difference!

The only reason you've described them as 'crap' is because they're operated by Arriva.

Have you ever actually used a Hill Top E200, or are you jumping to conclusions?

Oh how I missed you're posts.

I have used the Hill Top E200's and they aren't great, loud, rattily, uncomfortable hard seats, and seem underpowered even for such a small bus, so agree with Discodave, really hope the NXWM are better because I have grown to really like the last B6's at PE especially on the 222 as all the ones that remain are great

I'm on one as I speak and I can't find a fault with them, fairly quick, nice grey interior, no rattling windows, really comfortable seats, much better than urban 90. Honestly if NXWM E200s were like Arriva's I wouldn't complain

lets get the violins out then?

my line has never had it better! 6 car 172s!

Or diagrammed 6 car 172s when 5 cars turn up :/. Luckily the Snow Hill line hasn't been heavily affected by staff shortages, there's been a fair few signalling problems though

Yes, on the Snow Hill lines we have missed the worst of the Crew Shortages, but the signalling problems and the odd broken down train have caused terrible problems over the past few weeks.

Of course LM can't be blamed for the signalling problems, but there is never any information about what is happening. Nothing of any use on their website, no announcements and even if you are lucky to catch a member of station staff, they have no idea what is happening either! Truly shocking so called customer service.

I know, I have to use the line everyday, it's been shocking recently. Apparently the last two signalling problems were due to a rodent chewing the cabling. Seems to be the Crewe - Euston service which is suffering them a lack of train crew today

The 73 will be able to retain its presidents after the euro emissions, because of its low frequency.
Hybrids appear on the 24 everyday

http://wmbusphotos.com/forum/index.php?topic=1193.0

lets get the violins out then?

my line has never had it better! 6 car 172s!

Or diagrammed 6 car 172s when 5 cars turn up :/. Luckily the Snow Hill line hasn't been heavily affected by staff shortages, there's been a fair few signalling problems though

Just seen the pic of the new midi bus and looks a lot better than the hill top crap Arriva have the longer length seems to fit in with the NXWM fleet they will look nice on the black country routes at PN and hopefully WB as long as the Russells hall Chavs don't wreck them

Aren't the Arriva E200s '12 reg?

So whats people's preferences comparing the new 99 branding to the one used on the 4/4H/4M and the 37. Which do people favour more in terms of style and presentation but also in terms of informing the passenger.

I think the 99 branding does what it's mean to do, raise awareness of the route and the new buses on it. I really like the 4 branding with the shopping bags for the 4M section, and the 37 one is good as well, they both show the high frequency that the routes have

BC:
Single-deck routes - Volvo B7RLE (bar the 99, which is allocated B6LEs)
Double-deck routes - Dennis/Transbus Trident 2 (bar the 22 and 23, which are allocated hybrids)

WB:
Single-deck routes - Mercedes-Benz O405N and Volvo B6LE/Dennis Dart Crusaders
Midi-bus routes - ALX 200 8.8M
Double deck routes - Volvo Wright Gemini & ALX400 (bar the 5, that gets plaxton presidents)

PE:
Single-deck routes: Mercedes-Benz O405N & Volvo B6LE (bar 120, 140, 241 which are allocated Volvo B7RLE)
Double-deck routes: Enviro 400

PB:
Single-deck routes: Scania Omnilink & Volvo B10L
33: Enviro 400
Sutton Lines (902, 904, 905, 915): '08 reg Enviro 400
67: Scania Omnicity (Bendibus)
Midi-bus routes: Optare Solo
Every other double-deck route: Mainly Volvo Wright Gemini & ALX400, which a mixture of rare workings by Scania Omnicity (double decker) and Enviro 400

AG: Just seems to be a mixed bag from what I've seen

Same concept as the Local bus route thread, what's your local train line?

My local station in Smethwick Galton Bridge and my local lines are the Snow Hill Lines, the Walsall - Wolverhampton stopper, the Cambrian line/Holyhead - Birmingham International and Liverpool Lime Street to Birmingham New Street

That's 10tph to Birmingham, not too shabby  :)