Messages

Listen carefully i will say this only once.TOTALLY UNTRUE FULL STOP EXCLAMATION POINT.NOT HAPPENING.ASK SIMON!

Which part of the 276 is busy??i normally see it at the stourbridge end and it certainly does`nt need deckers then. So Dudle -Merry Hill or MH-Stourbridge.

Talking 226 buses did i see MX55NWL);  ex Hansons bus yesterday in Yardley Wood Rd wearing its new blue livery? as its destined for redditch has any one seen it yet?

Hansons have lost 124.but retained 208 (this was for daytime service)and 267.The 240 has been done by diamond for the last year.

Not a NXWM service but definately think that the 002 Weoley Castle - Merry Hill should be trialled again on a sunday.  Especially since it is the quickest route from Halesowen to Merry Hill.

Just a point of order since the re route Hansons 004 is now the quickest most direct route to Merry Hill from Halesowen.

Caught the 1750 "swift" 226 from Merry Hill today, having seen drivers play the "no ticket - machine Kaput" game before in order to pocket the money as the tickets wouldnt go through the machine. This is a new low - the driver was giving passengers scrumpled up used tickets, presumably in order to pocket the fares himself. Driver was also driving very aggressively.

Vehicle No. Diamond 20535 driven by a black driver with shades on and a bald head. I have passed this on to Centro and Diamond.

Well done for catching a Diamond running on there own time.Its easier to pocket more money if you make it a 25/5 minute split.

WMSNT ltd, registered charity no 700370
Is`nt this a bit of a contradiction?Do they have an unfair advantage when tendering because of their charitable status?

With reference to tenders,as mentioned elsewhere the tenders were for some early morning journeys monday to friday so i`m afraid for at least twelve months you`re stuck with diamond.

Good evening boys and girls.
Most of these contracts are for early non commercial journies not large evening/weekend contracts hence the small amounts.Thats why nxwm do the 257 and Hansons the 226.Don`t forget that Arriva put in 5 year prices last time the big contracts came up so they are`nt up for Yonks.

The money from their contracts for the routes operating out of Hill top is no where near enough to warrant the outlay on new buses.Tendering for 5yr contracts  for three year prices was never sustainable, even without the costs of new buses to pay for.

These 8 buses total £1.5m pounds worth of investment according to press release.so 500 k for all the other routes and operators around Merry hill,It has to be different money because the sums do`nt add up.As part of signing up for the Brierley hill bus scheme reinvestment is expected by all signees. Routes such as X96 226 255 and the new routes from Sandwell and Brum are all expected to be upgraded in a similar style by Centro.

With respect tony not what it says on the press release.......These new vehicles mark the start of a larger £10million investment programme between National Express West Midlands and Centro.

And not to confuse with As well as the new buses, Centro, the region's transport authority, is installing new shelters and more Real Time Information displays along the route.

The work is being funded from a £10million scheme to improve bus service across the Black Country. Around £5million of that is coming from the Government's Better Bus Area Fund, with £1.5million from Centro, £1.5million from Westfield, owners of the Merry Hill shopping centre and a further £2million from bus operators
The latter is primarily to do with improvements into and out of Merry Hill on the approach corridors

Hi Folks.
Just following on from the story of the new talking buses on the 222.
My understanding is that a very hefty wedge of ratepayers cash has headed in the direction of NXWM to help pay towards them.Whats the general view from you lot over this happening.I know and share your passion for public transport but should`nt Centros money be spent on infrastructure projects like its doing on the 222 as well as helping market the route through special ticket deals as its also doing, rather than paying out on the Hardware?Will they also be as open with the Cheque book with other operators trying to comply with the new Brierley Hill plan?Remember this is ratepayers money they`re splashing around.Our money! Support the network, do publicity, fund special offers to get people on the buses, yes!great news for all operators as this will lead to increased income so they can pay for the bus improvements themselves.Thoughts?

2610 back on the road after a minor prang in the snow.This bus seems a little cursed cos thats its third minor bump. :'(

Hi Tony.
How about updating the west midlands buses in photographs forum photo banner.
AM/PM have been deceased now for quite some time so maybe an update?........