Free travel New Year's Day
From 0000 1st January to 0259 2nd January
All day
And I bet some veg will still moan
Do many people go out New Years Day, most of the going out is done the night before and then the small hours when everyone is to drunk to stagger their way back to a bus stop and just calls a cab. Isn't it Sunday Service on the buses anyway and Sunday hours at the shops, might be useful for any local teams who are playing at home that day, mainly West Brom or Villa if the Trains or Trams are gonna be reduced to. Is this an NX Initiative or the Mayor/TFWM based, because he can't clame it's successful this time
Confirmed on TfWm Twitter.
Quote from: karl724223 on December 19, 2024, 04:51:41 PMFree travel New Year's Day
From 0000 1st January to 0259 2nd January
All day
And I bet some veg will still moan
Guaranteed to be some.
Good to see this. However, it is vital, given that New Years Day is traditionally quiet on a lot of the network and as a result services are heavily subsidised that patronage is recorded properly. Otherwise, we could find on January 1st 2026 a much reduced service.
Quote from: Westy on December 23, 2024, 01:40:06 PMConfirmed on TfWm Twitter.
Will you be allowed out for a free trip on New Year's Day
Quote from: karl724223 on December 23, 2024, 07:03:26 PMWill you be allowed out for a free trip on New Year's Day
I go out if I want to go out!
Quote from: karl724223 on December 19, 2024, 04:51:41 PMFree travel New Year's Day
From 0000 1st January to 0259 2nd January
All day
And I bet some veg will still moan
Sounds great - but why do you single out vegetarians as moaners? 😀
Quote from: don on December 27, 2024, 01:55:02 PMSounds great - but why do you single out vegetarians as moaners? 😀
I believe the context he's using veg in refers to people who do nothing but look at bustimes.
Great advertising by tfwm with Joe 90 in front of a bus advertising the last free offer Big sign free travel after 1900
Very poor
More misinformation from the media, making out this is only being offered by NX.
Free travel anywhere for Birmingham bus passengers on New Year's Day
After the success of the free evening bus travel in the run up to Christmas, National Express West Midlands is now offering free journeys on New Year's Day
https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/news/midlands-news/free-travel-anywhere-birmingham-bus-30668393
Other operators also run bus services on Sundays, and it's not just Birmingham passengers either!
Quote from: Stu on December 28, 2024, 09:34:01 AMMore misinformation from the media, making out this is only being offered by NX.
Free travel anywhere for Birmingham bus passengers on New Year's Day
After the success of the free evening bus travel in the run up to Christmas, National Express West Midlands is now offering free journeys on New Year's Day
https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/news/midlands-news/free-travel-anywhere-birmingham-bus-30668393
Other operators also run bus services on Sundays, and it's not just Birmingham passengers either!
The Media around here seems to think like the Mayor NX are the only operator, everytime for example the Brum Mail reports on Service Changes it never tells you what Operator has withdrew the service for example the 23 in the Black Country if that was withdrawn you would see people on Facebook and other media slating NX for withdrawing it, but if they actually used it or the media did it's job they would know Diamond run it. I don't think that route is being withdrawn anyway
Quote from: karl724223 on December 28, 2024, 09:00:18 AMGreat advertising by tfwm with Joe 90 in front of a bus advertising the last free offer Big sign free travel after 1900
Very poor
Must admit my old mum calls him Joe 90 as well!
Quote from: BlackCountryBusSpotter on December 28, 2024, 10:10:33 AMThe Media around here seems to think like the Mayor NX are the only operator, everytime for example the Brum Mail reports on Service Changes it never tells you what Operator has withdrew the service for example the 23 in the Black Country if that was withdrawn you would see people on Facebook and other media slating NX for withdrawing it, but if they actually used it or the media did it's job they would know Diamond run it. I don't think that route is being withdrawn anyway
The 23 is being taken over by Carolean and extended to Willenhall but as its not a NX service, it would seem as you say that the media wouldn't believe that important.
Quote from: Rachvince53 on December 28, 2024, 12:16:50 PMThe 23 is being taken over by Carolean and extended to Willenhall but as its not a NX service, it would seem as you say that the media wouldn't believe that important.
Yeah I knew it wasn't being withdrawn but there was no mention of what was happening to it, if it ay Slating NX Forget it or Birmingham Forget it
Given the bad weather forecast (heavy rain and strong winds), I wonder how many will take advantage of the free travel (apart from those who have to travel)?
Quote from: Rachvince53 on December 30, 2024, 01:15:25 PMGiven the bad weather forecast (heavy rain and strong winds), I wonder how many will take advantage of the free travel (apart from those who have to travel)?
Well Ive got the next 2 days off work, & Ive got some stuff in ready, for next lot of work sarnies, so I shouldnt need to go out either!
Quote from: Rachvince53 on December 30, 2024, 01:15:25 PMGiven the bad weather forecast (heavy rain and strong winds), I wonder how many will take advantage of the free travel (apart from those who have to travel)?
I might depending on times use it to get to and from Darlaston to Bentley to watch the Football provided the game goes ahead, if not I may ask my mate if there is any tickets left at the Albion and use the free buses to get to West Brom, but I doubt there will be.
QuoteI might depending on times use it to get to and from Darlaston to Bentley to watch the Football provided the game goes ahead, if not I may ask my mate if there is any tickets left at the Albion and use the free buses to get to West Brom, but I doubt there will be.
That reminds me of an epic P.A. announcement at Dudley Wood Stadium (RIP the Heathens) during the late 80's:
"First prize in tonight's raffle is a season ticket for the Albion."
"Second prize, TWO season tickets for the Albion..." :grin: :grin: :grin:
HAPPY NEW YEAR 🎉🎊🎈
Ps differant year same me 😂
Nobody gone out today for a free ride
Quote from: karl724223 on January 01, 2025, 01:27:11 PMNobody gone out today for a free ride
I did, but I have a monthly pass anyway, so made no difference to me! :grin:
Went to Kings Heath and back to get some shopping, both the buses I travelled on were practically empty, as were other ones I saw passing through Kings Heath.
I will be intrigued to see what our Mayor has to say about how successful today's offer was.
Was good to see the card reader and fare chute covered with a proper notice stating 'free bus travel today', as opposed to the carrier bags and sheets last time round!
The game ended up being called off and the game was a sell put
Busy on the Wolves 15A and 16 this afternoon. Not so busy on the Wolves 26A, 27, 81 or 82 (all Diamond services).
Quote from: Stu on January 01, 2025, 02:10:55 PMI did, but I have a monthly pass anyway, so made no difference to me! :grin:
Went to Kings Heath and back to get some shopping, both the buses I travelled on were practically empty, as were other ones I saw passing through Kings Heath.
I will be intrigued to see what our Mayor has to say about how successful today's offer was.
Was good to see the card reader and fare chute covered with a proper notice stating 'free bus travel today', as opposed to the carrier bags and sheets last time round!
I had to pop out in the car and I must admit I didn't see anybody at any bus stop on my travels
Quote from: Stu on January 01, 2025, 02:10:55 PMI did, but I have a monthly pass anyway, so made no difference to me! :grin:
Went to Kings Heath and back to get some shopping, both the buses I travelled on were practically empty, as were other ones I saw passing through Kings Heath.
I will be intrigued to see what our Mayor has to say about how successful today's offer was.
Was good to see the card reader and fare chute covered with a proper notice stating 'free bus travel today', as opposed to the carrier bags and sheets last time round!
The 01:00 94 was full and standing out of Birmingham and had to bypass the Matthew Boulton stop because for some reason thousands of men with some families in the mix marched from Centenary Square down to New Street in the dead of the night and then many wanted to catch the bus home. People in the area were wondering what was going on.
The police superintendent in the daily Mail article on it claims they went to see a hoax fireworks display.
I use that journey regularly and really it is never that busy normally.
Quote from: karl724223 on January 01, 2025, 04:34:48 PMI had to pop out in the car and I must admit I didn't see anybody at any bus stop on my travels
I had to pop to the Asda by me not long after 10am.
It was extremely quiet in there.
No 'proper' tills open, only self serve.
I did spot some 31/32's and there wasnt many on each one.
I put it down to 'Its early'!
Quote from: 2206 on January 01, 2025, 06:01:06 PMThe 01:00 94 was full and standing out of Birmingham and had to bypass the Matthew Boulton stop because for some reason thousands of men with some families in the mix marched from Centenary Square down to New Street in the dead of the night and then many wanted to catch the bus home. People in the area were wondering what was going on.
The police superintendent in the daily Mail article on it claims they went to see a hoax fireworks display.
I use that journey regularly and really it is never that busy normally.
That was nothing to do with today's free travel offer though?
Quote from: Stu on January 01, 2025, 06:37:47 PMThat was nothing to do with today's free travel offer though?
It was in reference to the practically empty comment. That journey was busier than I've ever seen it. I've never seen it have to turn people away before.
4888 00:01 to Frankley had a hi vis over the cash vault, both 4885 & 4929 have the yelllow cards in the cash vault today (nothing covering the card reader) and 4926 had nothing.
Quote from: 2206 on January 01, 2025, 07:07:52 PMIt was in reference to the practically empty comment. That journey was busier than I've ever seen it.
The 4888 00:01 to Frankley has a hi vis over the cash vault, both 4885 & 4929 have yelllow cards in the cash vault (nothing over the card reader) and 4926 had nothing.
I thought the free travel offer was only from start of service today, ie around 7am.
Yes, I did read that there were some fake social media posts about some fireworks event in the city centre last night, and it seems many people ignored the warnings and went there anyway.
I hope the mayor isn't planning to use those 'exceptional' loadings for today's offer being a "huge success", as otherwise it seems many people are reporting bus usage to be 'very light' today.
Quote from: Stu on January 01, 2025, 07:15:56 PMI thought the free travel offer was only from start of service today, ie around 7am.
Yes, I did read that there were some fake social media posts about some fireworks event in the city centre last night, and it seems many people ignored the warnings and went there anyway.
I hope the mayor isn't planning to use those 'exceptional' loadings for today's offer being a "huge success", as otherwise it seems many people are reporting bus usage to be 'very light' today.
https://wmbusphotos.com/forum/index.php?topic=6822.msg337724#msg337724
It started at midnight I believe.
So you could have took advantage of the free travel offer on those 00:00/01:00 journeys or 63, 97A, etc through the early hours
Quote from: karl724223 on January 01, 2025, 01:27:11 PMNobody gone out today for a free ride
I used the 23 with the family to go out for a pub meal. Buses in both direction were very quiet but unfortunately someone had taken a piss all over the top deck of 6863. Happy new year indeed.
All the 74s I saw today on the way to the WBA match were heavily loaded (between 1:30 and 2:30 this afternoon). I can imagine the usual football traffic delays to the service would have meant long queues in Birmingham city centre though.
Quote from: 2206 on January 01, 2025, 07:18:05 PMhttps://wmbusphotos.com/forum/index.php?topic=6822.msg337724#msg337724
It started at midnight I believe.
So you could have took advantage of the free travel offer on those 00:00/01:00 journeys or 63, 97A, etc through the early hours
Yes it did start at 0001, however most services didn't start until 7am. (My local 15A/16 didn't start until 830am.
Quote from: j789 on January 01, 2025, 07:56:43 PMAll the 74s I saw today on the way to the WBA match were heavily loaded (between 1:30 and 2:30 this afternoon). I can imagine the usual football traffic delays to the service would have meant long queues in Birmingham city centre though.
Would have been rammed anyway regardless of Free Travel, Tram what fans use is reduced on New Year's Day, Trains are a joke and probably even more so on New Year's, if your clever you Park in West Bromwich or the outskirts maybe Carters Green, Oldbury on a Pub Car Park or somewhere free to avoid the mess of the Brummie Road after the game and then get the bus to West Brom and then the 74 or the 74 directly and then either at Full time walk or wait for the bus back