My Predictions for 2025:
Sprint will not start (but we know this already)
Cross-City services will be not start but there will be more information about them, including there own series of numbers, I will predict a 'C' prefix.
More Electric buses to be announced beyond the 'proposed' Electroliners, including single-deckers mainly for Coventry.
The 27 (Yardley Wood-Frankley) to be given up and given to another operator.
Stagecoach and Arriva will be 'bigged up' by Richard Parker in his attempt on franchising
Richard Parker to increase the franchise dream of his, but will get a rougher ride than he is expecting for other departments.
My Wish for 2025:
As many Scania Omnilinks to be withdrawn as possible.
Diamond to gain more tenders in April
WM Bus On Demand to expand to the rest of the WM area
Banga loses its tendered work and then sells to Rotala
Dudley Bus Station to be delayed opening until 2026
My wish - Franchising to be given the nod
Quote from: Steve3229vp on January 01, 2025, 09:35:12 PMMy Predictions for 2025:
Sprint will not start (but we know this already)
Cross-City services will be not start but there will be more information about them, including there own series of numbers, I will predict a 'C' prefix.
More Electric buses to be announced beyond the 'proposed' Electroliners, including single-deckers mainly for Coventry.
The 27 (Yardley Wood-Frankley) to be given up and given to another operator.
Stagecoach and Arriva will be 'bigged up' by Richard Parker in his attempt on franchising
Richard Parker to increase the franchise dream of his, but will get a rougher ride than he is expecting for other departments.
My Wish for 2025:
As many Scania Omnilinks to be withdrawn as possible.
My man has a serious problem with the scania omnilink please tell me why cus they are best singles in fleet
Quote from: Ingleboro261F on January 01, 2025, 10:39:13 PMMy man has a serious problem with the scania omnilink please tell me why cus they are best singles in fleet
Stick to the topic please !
If 2025 (And they don't see 26) is the last for the tridents and Gemini, wonder if a final running day is in the planning for the Autumn?
The WMCA have more occasional free travel days/nights throughout the rest of 2025.
Diamond to purchase more Streetlites mainly to see off older B7RLEs?
Stagecoach try to buy nx Coventry in a bid to have a central operating centre for the midlands
Franchising won't start as it will cost more then originally thought
Nxwm transfers some double deckers that are due for YW to replace Coventrys single deckers
West Midlands Trains nationalised by the government
The metro extension to Dudley will still not be completed
HS2 will be going to Crewe
Lets Go will lose their appeal and cease to exist
NXWM will try to use bigger buses on the WN 11 after Lets Go finally disappear
Diamond will cut the 002 to just run between Merry Hill and Halesowen
There will be a new tendered service or an extension of an existing one to replace the 002 between Weoley Castle and Halesowen
Banga will lose their TfWM tenders and shortly after will cease to exist on all services; Chaserider will take the 5/5A, Diamond will take the 53 and 81, whilst taking over the 530 commercially. Select will take over the 891 comercially.
First will purchase Arriva Telford
Either Rotala or, in a shock move, Wellglade, will purchase Arriva Tamworth
Quote from: 2206 on 01/01/2025, 22:54:22
If 2025 (And they don't see 26) is the last for the tridents and Gemini, wonder if a final running day is in the planning for the Autumn?
The WMCA have more occasional free travel days/nights throughout the rest of 2025.
Diamond to purchase more Streetlites mainly to see off older B7RLEs?
I hope not I love b7s
Where are your predictions ?
Coventry & Warwickshire crystal ball predictions
1. Due to extremely poor management of bus services, routes and bus stops in Coventry by TfWM they are finally booted out and replaced by a dedicated Transport for Coventry organisation that really understands local needs and geography (TfWM to note that Coventry is a city 18 miles due east from Birmingham city centre).
2. Coventry Very Light Rail (VLR) tram project will finally be canned. Realisation that the bus is a better solution.
3. Coventry Rail station will again be served by buses that will call at the very front of the original station building instead of the recent scattergun approach of bus stops all over the place as devised by TfWM. Transport for Coventry will recognise the need for an integrated modal interchange that is simple to understand, use and is actually right at the heart of the station and not a remote location somewhere in Earlsdon or a bus stop a fair distance away on a busy main road.
4. Diamond will take over SC Rugby depot and local Rugby routes. They will gain a useful operating base on the east side of the West Midlands and expand on these operations. Will include the 86 Coventry - Rugby route and this will revert back to the pre-covid 30 minute frequency.
5. Diamond will also take over the Coventry 60 from SC Nuneaton and improve the frequency to 30 mins intervals. Route will be altered to the Sunday route and then going through to turn arounds at the rail station instead of the University.
6. Electricity will be introduced into the town of Rugby to allow Diamond to run electric buses from the old SC Rugby depot.
7. The Fridays only single service Flexibus 218 will lose local authority funding when they realise it rarely seems to reach its final timetabled destination.
No predictions as everything seems to be perennially up in the air these days, but I thought I would look back at the predictions for 2018 thread
Some highlights
Sprint to be cancelled and priority given to Platinum/Sapphire etc. :)
-- no comment
The progress on Camp Hill chord will pass a major hurdle meaning it's no longer a pipe dream any more.
-- well we got the Midlands Rail Hub announced last year but who knows when that will be completed
Drastic actions will be taken in regards to worsening traffic conditions in Birmingham to determinant of car drivers.
-- I suppose Digbeth High Street counts but that just moves cars elsewhere
I think 22nd July will be an interesting date. Solihull will then require buses to be euro4.
-- Euro3 still operating there today, although I appreciate that wasn't the plan
Quote from: Ingleboro261F on January 01, 2025, 10:39:13 PMMy man has a serious problem with the scania omnilink please tell me why cus they are best singles in fleet
They are going to eventually get withdrawn regardless of whether you like them or not, the same goes for ALX400s, Geminis and E400 tridents, they are all 'seeing their age' as you had stated previously.
Predictions
Let's Go Lose there appeal
Chaserider Invest heavily into modifying the Cannock Network in fear of any Franchising heading there way
Franchising will be scrapped as it is deemed not cost effective
WMR gets taken over
The Metro Extensions get scrapped either causing Digbeth and half of the City to have their roads put back in, and Merry Hill section also to be scrapped.
Sprint/CrossCity never materialises
Optimistic but unlikely
Darlaston and Willenhall Train Station finally open
I've already listed some of my bus predictions for 2025 on my website:
https://wmbu.org.uk/2024/12/my-predictions-for-2025/
From that lot, the main one for me is Dudley bus station, in that I don't believe that will be completed and in operation this year, and as a result, neither will the Metro extension (to Dudley at least).
Away from buses, I'm doubtful that the new stations on the Camp Hill line will be ready and in use before the end of this year.
But even if they are, I don't think they will have too much of a detrimental effect on the 50, not immediately anyway. Passengers going to/from Moseley and Kings Heath might give the train a go for a bit as a 'novelty', but if the service ends up reliable with numerous cancellations then passengers will go back to the bus, as it's more frequent despite being a longer journey.
A wish?
That NX management have 'learned lessons' from the fiasco of getting electric buses into service at Perry Barr and Yardley Wood this year, and for the last ones in storage to actually get used!
And hopefully other operators have watched and learned the valuable lesson: get the charging infrastructure organised and in place before the vehicles are ready to be delivered!
Quote from: Stu on January 02, 2025, 07:06:19 PMThat NX management have 'learned lessons' from the fiasco of getting electric buses into service at Perry Barr and Yardley Wood this year, and for the last ones in storage to actually get used!
And hopefully other operators have watched and learned the valuable lesson: get the charging infrastructure organised and in place before the vehicles are ready to be delivered!
Same in London, Loads of new electric buses delivered down there I can't go and photograph yet as they are not being used for the same reason.
Even worse is Stockport where the buses were ordered before anywhere to fit the infrastructure was even identified!
Quote from: Tony on January 02, 2025, 07:42:06 PMSame in London, Loads of new electric buses delivered down there I can't go and photograph yet as they are not being used for the same reason.
Even worse is Stockport where the buses were ordered before anywhere to fit the infrastructure was even identified!
We will have this problem in Burton!
Has any of the electroliners been built?
Quote from: BK63 YWP on January 02, 2025, 11:12:07 PMHas any of the electroliners been built?
Back on topic please !
What I want this year to happen is a bus other than e200/e400mmcs to come to acocks Green garage which won't happen but oh well
This years prediction is more of a challenging one than last year, as franchising kinda controls a lot of ideas companies have now. so this years is a bit weird from me.
NX:
- more ways will be found to simply the vechicle list down, moving buses around to withdraw omnilinks
- garages will start to have one or two types of buses - e.g. a mmc garage, enviro garage
- something out there fully YW to take spare e200s from walsall (when they loose 77/A/X15) and to use them on the 27
Other operators:
more operators to take little tendered routes, and the ones who have took them in janurary - do well on them and get better tenders from TfWM in the future.
oh wishes
27 re-routed to serve norrington estate, 61 to do 27 route. (i'd just like this lmao)
Quote from: GoldenSquid on January 05, 2025, 11:21:59 AM- something out there fully YW to take spare e200s from walsall (when they loose 77/A/X15) and to use them on the 27
I was thinking if larger vehicles than E200s were needed - and there are schools on the route - the Omnilinks on the 27 might be replaced by a few B7RLEs from Coventry once they are replaced by electrics. AG runs them should short-term loans be needed.
Quote from: cardew on January 05, 2025, 11:48:58 AMI was thinking if larger vehicles than E200s were needed - and there are schools on the route - the Omnilinks on the 27 might be replaced by a few B7RLEs from Coventry once they are replaced by electrics. AG runs them should short-term loans be needed.
from what I can tell the 27 is only busy really at school times, so worse case scenario it could be an extra trip that could help the load? I also don't think YW have ever had B7RLEs, but they have had multiple types of enviros.
Some LWB E200's would suit the 27 nicely.
Prediction: Dudley bus station will definitely not open this year
Wish: ZF Platinums and 16/66 plates transfer to WB to see off those horrid and boring Scanias
Dudley bus station is destined to finish up like a Cardiff did, years late and a gazzillion £s overs budget.
Predictions.
Bilston bus station will be considered for redevelopment with shelters on the metro entrance.
Prediction:
Get rid of the double times on timetables with the numbers next to them.
My hope is that it is split so it has
Mon-Thurs/Fri/Sat/Sun and put the slight different in times for Fridays in its own column.
and hire someone to go over timetables and posters/displays at bus stops checking for errors and making sure all the information is correctly updated.
Prediction: NX acquire the Volvo BZL's for their SD platform
Wish: NX aquire something that's related to the new DD's for parity's sake such as the ADL Enviro200EV (I doubt this would happen for various reasons) and Wright GB Kite (I would personally enjoy this)
Metro to be SCRAPPED due to creating too much traffic congestion
Cross City / Sprint SCRAPPED due to cost
some Portland Road services to be rerouted via Rotton Park
Outer Circle to go back to actual full route (you cant call it The Circle anymore if its not)
AG to finally be considered for Electric Buses
Return of a Birmingham to Dorridge Service wont happen anyway
ALL Hydrogen Buses finally run as part of a farewell to Hydrogen Buses week, with the vehicles actually being loaned to other garages for a day (one on the 11A / 11C one on the X1) before the white elephant is finally extinct
something for everybody to chew on, sure to cause a ripple or two, before anybody says anything, YES im Anti Tram, not ANTI Hydrogen its just a waste of everybodys time, certainly NOT anti-electric
Quote from: Celestial Toymaker on January 16, 2025, 04:22:18 PMMetro to be SCRAPPED due to creating too much traffic congestion
Cross City / Sprint SCRAPPED due to cost
some Portland Road services to be rerouted via Rotton Park
Outer Circle to go back to actual full route (you cant call it The Circle anymore if its not)
AG to finally be considered for Electric Buses
Return of a Birmingham to Dorridge Service wont happen anyway
ALL Hydrogen Buses finally run as part of a farewell to Hydrogen Buses week, with the vehicles actually being loaned to other garages for a day (one on the 11A / 11C one on the X1) before the white elephant is finally extinct
something for everybody to chew on, sure to cause a ripple or two, before anybody says anything, YES im Anti Tram, not ANTI Hydrogen its just a waste of everybodys time, certainly NOT anti-electric
Why get rid of hydrogen buses.
Quote from: wembley86 on January 16, 2025, 04:59:49 PMWhy get rid of hydrogen buses.
Given the lease arrangements this certainly seems unlikely. Incidentally these arrangements are detailed in the franchising document should anyone be interested.
New buses for Wolverhampton, let's go forced to stop trading, select will buy brand new buses for the first time, the mayor of WM forced to resign after a scandal. one wish would be for all the buses to track properly at the same time, even for just one day :grin:
Sprint will be deemed a faliure, camp hill line finally opens fingers crossed, electrics for AG, Coventry gets GB kites or Mercades E Citaro, 196s rolling out onto the snow hill lines
Quote from: wembley86 on January 16, 2025, 04:59:49 PMWhy get rid of hydrogen buses.
because as buses go they make great paper weights, if they aint on the road, they aint earning money, 20 useless lumps of advanced technology thats a little too far advanced, half the time the fuel is not available and when it is, its too much hassle to get drivers to take them to refuel, keep them in Walsall refuel in Tyseley ??
should be AG / BC / YW for that location
Quote from: Celestial Toymaker on January 19, 2025, 11:05:09 PMbecause as buses go they make great paper weights, if they aint on the road, they aint earning money, 20 useless lumps of advanced technology thats a little too far advanced, half the time the fuel is not available and when it is, its too much hassle to get drivers to take them to refuel, keep them in Walsall refuel in Tyseley ??
should be AG / BC / YW for that location
Walsall was chosen as they operated the Diesel Streetdecks so they wanted the StreetDecks Diesel and Hydrogen at one garage
Quote from: BlackCountryBusSpotter on January 20, 2025, 10:29:55 AMWalsall was chosen as they operated the Diesel Streetdecks so they wanted the StreetDecks Diesel and Hydrogen at one garage
I think it's more to do with funding for the councils and partnerships. The diesel streetdecks were probably moved to Walsall because the Hydrogens were due there.
Quote from: BlackCountryBusSpotter on January 20, 2025, 10:29:55 AMWalsall was chosen as they operated the Diesel Streetdecks so they wanted the StreetDecks Diesel and Hydrogen at one garage
Completely incorrect