The brand-new, much delayed Midland Metropolitan Hospital in Smethwick is set to finally open on Sunday 6th October 2024.
Delayed super hospital set to open in October
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c0rw7x7edp8o
Now I know there is some obsession amongst transport chiefs about having loads of bus services serving hospitals across the region, and there have already been some rumours circulated about potential changes, so now we have a thread for such rumours as well as confirmations when they finally occur!
One route rumoured to be changed was the 87. I wonder if this will also be the catalyst for finally launching the first cross-city service, namely the combination of the 50 and 87.
The other 'rumour' was that between Bearwood and Winson Green, the 11A/C and 82 would switch routes.
Personally I don't think this would be a good idea, having the 11A/C diverted to serve roads that get congested will just add to the running time, making journeys longer than they are already.
The 82 and 87 will already indirectly serve the new hospital, with their stops on Cape Hill and Dudley Road being a short walk away.
Is there going to be any kind of bus interchange facility at this new hospital?
There's not currently any bus service along Grove Lane.
I wonder if the 54/A or 80 will be rerouted from Windmill Lane.
https://www.swbh.nhs.uk/our-new-hospital/frequently-asked-questions/
Quote from: themWhat about travel and travel times?
The Trust is working alongside Transport for West Midlands with the expectation that a variety of main public transport routes will come onto the site, with a turning circle inside our grounds. There is also a visitors' car park. Pedestrian and cycle entrances are marked across the site.
Bus stop'll be on site, so it is viable for 54/54a/80/82/87 to divert up to it.
Couldn't the 89 also be modified to serve it?
Quote from: Stu on August 23, 2024, 12:36:56 PMThe brand-new, much delayed Midland Metropolitan Hospital in Smethwick is set to finally open on Sunday 6th October 2024.
Delayed super hospital set to open in October
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c0rw7x7edp8o
Now I know there is some obsession amongst transport chiefs about having loads of bus services serving hospitals across the region, and there have already been some rumours circulated about potential changes, so now we have a thread for such rumours as well as confirmations when they finally occur!
One route rumoured to be changed was the 87. I wonder if this will also be the catalyst for finally launching the first cross-city service, namely the combination of the 50 and 87.
Did the short lived X7 (Birmingham to Wolverhampton) go near or past the new Midland Metropolitan Hospital ?
Quote from: Jack on August 23, 2024, 05:24:56 PMCouldn't the 89 also be modified to serve it?
Would require a lengthy rerouting, probably not viable.
Quote from: Steve3229vp on August 23, 2024, 05:59:57 PMDid the short lived X7 (Birmingham to Wolverhampton) go near or past the new Midland Metropolitan Hospital ?
I think it went near, along Soho Way and Cranford Street.
Quote from: Stu on August 23, 2024, 06:22:27 PMI think it went near, along Soho Way and Cranford Street.
It also served Heath Street where the side of the Hospital is
https://www.swbh.nhs.uk/our-new-hospital/how-to-get-to-midland-metropolitan-university-hospital/
Quote from: Stu on August 23, 2024, 06:22:27 PMWould require a lengthy rerouting, probably not viable.
It would give a link from parts of Smethwick that previously had their link to a hospital cut off when they decided to cut the 89. And also a bus from West Brom to the new hospital would be good if non of the current services from West Brom are modified to serve it. Often used to see people catch the 89 from West Brom to City Hospital before it got chopped.
Quote from: Jack on August 23, 2024, 07:59:35 PMIt would give a link from parts of Smethwick that previously had their link to a hospital cut off when they decided to cut the 89. And also a bus from West Brom to the new hospital would be good if non of the current services from West Brom are modified to serve it. Often used to see people catch the 89 from West Brom to City Hospital before it got chopped.
The 89 will terminate at the new hospital instead of Bearwood from 29th September
Quote from: Jack on August 23, 2024, 07:59:35 PMIt would give a link from parts of Smethwick that previously had their link to a hospital cut off when they decided to cut the 89. And also a bus from West Brom to the new hospital would be good if non of the current services from West Brom are modified to serve it. Often used to see people catch the 89 from West Brom to City Hospital before it got chopped.
See the link posted above!
QuoteWe have partnered with Transport for West Midlands to establish a number of dedicated service routes and route changes to help everyone reach our new Midland Metropolitan University Hospital.
From 29th September:
- No. 54/54A – will be combined into one route to serve Midland Metropolitan University Hospital
- No. 89 – this service will now terminate at Midland Metropolitan University Hospital instead of Bearwood.
- No. 82/87 – journeys from Birmingham will be diverted to serve the new Grove Lane Stops. Journeys towards Birmingham will continue their existing route and serve the bus stop on Dudley Road.
With the 89 I wonder if it will still serve Shireland and Portland Rd and then it could go down the opposite direction to where it already goes on City Rd taking it on to Dudley Rd where it will go up to get to the hospital instead of just sending it down Cape Hill.
There's no left turn onto Dudley Road at the end of City Road
Would be useful if the 89 served Windmill Lane on its way to the hospital, given that it doesn't look like the 54/A and 80 will serve the hospital
Will the 89 terminating at the hospital affect the 54/89 interworking by any chance?
Quote from: frostjay974 on August 30, 2024, 08:11:01 PMWill the 89 terminating at the hospital affect the 54/89 interworking by any chance?
Maybe, we'll have to see once the timetables are published, at this time no-one knows.
Apparently I have been informed that these changes won't be taking place until sometime in October now.
some of the 54 bus stops only displaying that route
54A has gone
WB 82/87/89 start serving the M.M.H from the 29th September from city only , turn right into Grove lane then left onto the dual carriageway then right at the island, oh what joy that will be .
New timetables are now on the TfWM website.
Looks like the revised 54 service will become half-hourly during the Mon-Sat daytimes and will use Grove Lane and Cape Hill instead of Windmill Lane. Also Europa Village and Queens Head will no longer be served.
89 will continue along Cape Hill and onto Grove Lane to terminate and start from the hospital.
Quote from: Stu on September 11, 2024, 08:08:48 PMNew timetables are now on the TfWM website.
Looks like the revised 54 service will become half-hourly during the Mon-Sat daytimes and will use Grove Lane and Cape Hill instead of Windmill Lane. Also Europa Village and Queens Head will no longer be served.
89 will continue along Cape Hill and onto Grove Lane to terminate and start from the hospital.
Slight annoyance that the 54A has been withdrawn without a replacement, considering it replaced a route that ran everyday. But I say slight because I barely used it myself :grin:
Interesting that the 54 is serving Grove Lane instead of Windmill Lane, so which confirms they'll be no direct link to the hospital, not the end of the world, but seemed pretty logical
Out of interest, does anyone know how well used the Bearwood to Cape Hill section of the 89 is?
Quote from: Sh4318 on September 13, 2024, 05:39:47 PMSlight annoyance that the 54A has been withdrawn without a replacement, considering it replaced a route that ran everyday. But I say slight because I barely used it myself :grin:
Interesting that the 54 is serving Grove Lane instead of Windmill Lane, so which confirms they'll be no direct link to the hospital, not the end of the world, but seemed pretty logical
Out of interest, does anyone know how well used the Bearwood to Cape Hill section of the 89 is?
The 54 will call at the stops in the hospital grounds in both directions, as will the 89.
The 54A is replaced by the revised 54 service which now runs half-hourly as a result.
Regarding the 89, clearly that part of the route wasn't that well used, it remains to be seen whether it becomes better used to and from this new hospital.
Making the 54 go down Grove Lane is fine, but surely sending the 89 down Windmill Lane and then Grove Lane to the hospital would be the logical idea so it still retains a bus going down that road.
Then to take it one step further as an idea:
Maybe a one way loop, so Windmill Lane then Grove Lane to terminus. Then up the Dudley Road, right onto City Road and then follow the 80 back up to Cape Hill and back to its normal route. At least part of the 89 Bearwood connection isn't lost and easier to transfer on the 11, 12 and 13 routes.
Quote from: OH25 on September 15, 2024, 01:49:22 PMMaking the 54 go down Grove Lane is fine, but surely sending the 89 down Windmill Lane and then Grove Lane to the hospital would be the logical idea so it still retains a bus going down that road.
The 80 serves Windmill Lane so nothing is being lost really.
Am I correct in thinking that with this place opening, the facillities at Sandwell will either be reduced or axed?
It'll be interesting to see what happens to the services round there eventually.
I remember from the old Birmingham timetables, there used to be a 62 down the Bristol Road, but I guess that route went when Rover shut?
Quote from: Stu on August 31, 2024, 04:24:10 PMApparently I have been informed that these changes won't be taking place until sometime in October now.
Changes will come into effect on 29th September 2024.
Among the changes are that the 89 will no longer run between Cape Hill and Bearwood but terminate at the hospital instead.
Services 82 & 87 out of Birmingham will serve a new stop in Grove Lane. (To Birmingham will follow existing route).
54A withdrawn
54 will no longer serve Europa Village on Sundays
Quote from: Westy on September 15, 2024, 04:17:30 PMAm I correct in thinking that with this place opening, the facillities at Sandwell will either be reduced or axed?
It'll be interesting to see what happens to the services round there eventually.
I remember from the old Birmingham timetables, there used to be a 62 down the Bristol Road, but I guess that route went when Rover shut?
Eventually - it lasted for another 5 years before being replaced by different configurations of links into the city centre (X62, 98) which eventually disappeared with the withdrawl of the X20.
Interesting, with NX's 54 no longer serving Europa Village on Sundays, Diamond are withdrawing their own 54A service on Sundays, and replacing it with a new 61A service.
https://x.com/diamondbuses/status/1838589063932133731
I know the new hospital doesn't open until next week, but surely all the 'construction works' should be completed by now?
https://x.com/nxwestmidlands/status/1840678015602147791
Also seems a little disheartening to read that the new bus stops on Grove Lane for the 82 and 87 are already being affectionately known as the 'McDonalds Interchange'.
Interesting there is no mention of any diversion for the 54 service, presumably just missing out the hospital stop and continuing along Grove Lane?
Quote from: Stu on September 30, 2024, 07:29:15 PMI know the new hospital doesn't open until next week, but surely all the 'construction works' should be completed by now?
https://x.com/nxwestmidlands/status/1840678015602147791
Also seems a little disheartening to read that the new bus stops on Grove Lane for the 82 and 87 are already being affectionately known as the 'McDonalds Interchange'.
Interesting there is no mention of any diversion for the 54 service, presumably just missing out the hospital stop and continuing along Grove Lane?
It's strange to hear it called the McDonald's interchange, as someone born and bred in Smethwick, it will always be the Cape of Good Hope island opposite the brewery and the new 82/87 stop is by the George Grove Lane. Nice little pub. I saw a band that had two ex members of Musical Youth there. They were brilliant and should've had a lot more success.
Quote from: PinkBus on October 01, 2024, 03:59:14 PMIt's strange to hear it called the McDonald's interchange, as someone born and bred in Smethwick, it will always be the Cape of Good Hope island opposite the brewery and the new 82/87 stop is by the George Grove Lane. Nice little pub. I saw a band that had two ex members of Musical Youth there. They were brilliant and should've had a lot more success.
Same. I've always referred to it as Cape Hill Island
So will the 82/87 continue serving
just "McDonalds Interchange" after the construction works or will it actually serve the hospital? If so, I don't understand why they can't serve the hospital in both directions
Quote from: Sh4318 on October 01, 2024, 05:00:45 PMSame. I've always referred to it as Cape Hill Island
So will the 82/87 continue serving just "McDonalds Interchange" after the construction works or will it actually serve the hospital? If so, I don't understand why they can't serve the hospital in both directions
The 82/87 were never going to directly serve the hospital. The new stops on the Grove Lane service road provide closer access on journeys from Birmingham, otherwise the nearest stop would have been that first one on Cape Hill. On journeys towards Birmingham, the present Dugdale Road stop is considered to be close enough, and just a short walk from the hospital.
is the 54 meant to serve that side road by McDonalds at all?
one 54 towards West Brom went on it then looped back round the roundabout
but the next 54 skipped it out and went straight onto the dual carriageway
At the moment the 54 is supposed to be going up and down the dual carriageway not serving the loop or grove lane gate til Sunday 6th
Saw a bus stop today at the hospital which had 80 on it, I didn't think the 80 served it and hadn't changed?
Quote from: Bus_user_jay on October 06, 2024, 06:15:08 PMSaw a bus stop today at the hospital which had 80 on it, I didn't think the 80 served it and hadn't changed?
The timetable is changing on 3rd November so perhaps the 80 will be rerouted down Grove Lane (for the hospital) at that time.
Quote from: Bus_user_jay on October 06, 2024, 06:15:08 PMSaw a bus stop today at the hospital which had 80 on it, I didn't think the 80 served it and hadn't changed?
Which stop was this?
Quote from: Rachvince53 on October 06, 2024, 06:28:00 PMThe timetable is changing on 3rd November so perhaps the 80 will be rerouted down Grove Lane (for the hospital) at that time.
Curious, there is a new timetable for the 80 on the TfWM website but it does not show any route change in Cape Hill and doesn't list the hospital as a stopping point.
https://www.tfwm.org.uk/plan-your-journey/find-a-timetable/#/route/cen_33080_S_H_y11_12-12
It was one of the bus stops outside the new hospital (The Bus Mall I believe) and it clearly said 80. There was another stop for the 89 before anyone thinks I misread it lol
Quote from: Bus_user_jay on October 06, 2024, 07:06:10 PMIt was one of the bus stops outside the new hospital (The Bus Mall I believe) and it clearly said 80. There was another stop for the 89 before anyone thinks I misread it lol
There are two stops in the hospital grounds, MA and MB.
MA is listed as for the 54 service towards Worlds End
MB is listed as for the 54 and 89 towards West Bromwich
There's actually 3 stops, one is for ring and ride, the next one is for the 54/89 to WBBS (but it says 80 on the flag) and then the final one is the 54 to Worlds End
Quote from: Zander on October 06, 2024, 08:11:50 PMThere's actually 3 stops, one is for ring and ride, the next one is for the 54/89 to WBBS (but it says 80 on the flag) and then the final one is the 54 to Worlds End
Ah thanks for confirming, I assume the ring-and-ride stop is the 'missing' MC stop not shown on maps.
I'll also then assume that TfWM have incorrectly listed the 80 then. :rolleyes:
Perhaps the original plan was to reroute the 80, but that changed to altering the 54 and 89 instead.
Considering the amount of buses rerouted round there you would think they'd have ensured the flags were right. As now, people will talk and think that the 80 goes to the hospital, when in actual fact it's the only Cape Hill/Smethwick route not to change.
what will happen to the 11A / 11C with City Hospital closure, will the Aberdeen Street bit be revised
Must admit I found myself round by there yesterday, as I went to Brum on a day off, then decided to have a wander up the canal, to see where it brought me out, getting on at Brindley Place, but as I discovered, there didn't seem to be many places to break the journey.
Eventually I came off the towpath, & found myself on Heath St & I remember looking at Bustimes & seeing no stops listed, for what seemed a fairly busy road, as it took me over 5 minutes to cross the road!
Even found what appeared to be the old Thandi premises nearby & eventually found a path that led to the hospital entrance, as I needed the loo.
After grabbing a Greggs, I waited for a 89 to turn up, then went back to West Bromwich, where I went to my other sister's for a bit, then went back to Walsall on a 4.
(Caldmore still a PITA for traffic, isn't it!)