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Yeah sorry I didn't realise people were already talking about it in the Route Branded Buses Off-Route topic :)

I didn't realise the new branding was already being discussed here haha, I started a new topic like "look guys!" :')

I think it looks very smart personally. I love the coloured strip they've added to the livery for it, it gives it that extra something. Would I be right in assuming the 900 will get treated to similar branding?

97 for BC... even with a 4-minute frequency most loadings on a Trident are full. Much much much more profitable than the 98 and 99!!!

Well I only hope that Claribels continue to prosper on the 94, maybe then they'll act. I'm seeing more and more Claribels buses full to the brim lately.

You'll get unpleasant characters on public transport wherever you go it's a fact of life. I was on the 24 going down Court Oak Road in Harborne the other week (top of the pile, as you put it) and a man was having a right argument with the driver. And I do genuinely get quite offended when people refer to East Birmingham as the "bottom of the pile" and make us out to be toothless benefit-scrounging morons, as you're just feeding off of stereotypes. But I do wonder how seriously NXWM take these stereotypes, as I do feel that the East of Birmingham probably has a massive amount more bus-users than say the West or South, purely because the trainlines don't really go anywhere near a lot of the major bus corridors there. So then, where is the investment? Why is it that the people that pour most of the money into the company get the sheds and the areas like Harborne etc. get brand spanking new buses repeatedly? I'll tell you why - stereotyping.

I managed to get a rare day off work 2 weeks ago and tried another little adventure! Did the 9 to Stourbridge, the X96 to Merry Hill, the 255 to Wolverhampton, the 529 to Walsall then the X51 back to Birmingham. I have to say it was a great day out. Loved all the hilly bits and the scenery on the 9 and 255 routes. I'm not used to seeing nice scenery in East Birmingham.

I agree. I know the idea has been bashed by a lot of people but I'm still with the opinion that since Lea Hall closed it's old routes have become neglected at other garages, with the exception of the 17 and 55.

three unsual workings from me
Chelmsey Wood:
7026 71 Working 1450 To Solihull
1932 966 Working 1459 Chelmsey Wood-Erdington From Solihull

Birmingham Airport:
4619 900 Working 1527 To Coventry

I wouldn't say any of those were particularly unusual to be honest.

Isn't 7026 a PB bus though?

It is, it must be on loan. Still, an Omnilink on the 71 wouldn't really make your head turn.

three unsual workings from me
Chelmsey Wood:
7026 71 Working 1450 To Solihull
1932 966 Working 1459 Chelmsey Wood-Erdington From Solihull

Birmingham Airport:
4619 900 Working 1527 To Coventry

I wouldn't say any of those were particularly unusual to be honest.

They must be more profitable for NXWM over say the 94
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I wouldn't be so sure. Most of the time the 94 is rammed leaving the city. Remember there's no rail alternative for the 94, or a lot of the Chelmsley Wood routes to be honest so passengers rely solely on buses.

I know its not strictly unusual but others disagree;;

4144 - X64

Havent seen a double on there since I got a picture of one at the Old Colemore Row Terminus, good spot id say;

I've seen quite a few since they moved the terminus to Corporation Street (I work very close to there so pretty much see every bus that goes down Corporation St. for hours a day) :P it's definitely not that common but it's not exceedingly rare

Hi Simon,
I just wondered if there was some kind of priority system in place with which buses get refurbished next, as it still seems odd to me that relatively brand new E400s and Omnilinks are being prioritised for refurbishment when buses like many Tridents which are over 10 years old and the ALX400s have gone their entire lives without a single refurb. I rode 4300 today on the 94 and I have to say, it was in a disgraceful state, but the worst part is I've seen WB ALX400's in far worse condition. Is the amount of time it's taken to get only a fraction of the fleet in full NXWM livery justified?

Rode 4300 today on the 94, and I've gotta say it's such a shoddy bus. The Vodafone all-over wrap just looks tacky and completely destroys any good looks the bus might have had. Add on the severely worn seats and insane amounts of etching on the upper deck, and of course the decade old livery and you've got a shed. Although to be honest, a lot of ALX400s at WB are in a disgraceful state. It's high time they started refurbishing the buses that REALLY need refurbishment rather than practically brand new Omnilinks and E400s that still look new. The ALX400s, in my opinion, are an embarrassment to the fleet at the moment.

I love the Lynxes, I remember always catching them on the 14 as a kid. I loved the sideward facing seats as you walked on to your right.