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but apparently the regenerative braking system is too efficient and causing the batteries to overcharge

Am I the only one to find this particular statement hilarious? Too efficient? When designing it all did they just assume some parts would be a "bodge job" so didnt account for it to work properly?

It always struck me as strange when they closed Lea Hall and Hockley but didn't open any other depots, I mean ok, there is possibly extra space at other garages ie PB or BY but surely there wouldn't be that much extra space

Not strictly a replacement bus service, but me sister once had to get a taxi from Cheltenham to Birmingham because her train (the last one of the day) had to terminate early, and she shared a taxi with someone who still had to get to scotland

I don't know if this is the norm but when I've been in sutton in late afternoons, whether this is normal I don't know but one day 4238 came off a 907 and went onto a 904 then the other day 4731 came off a 914 and went on a 907

I think some of them do interwork but of an evening, so doesn't quite explain that

4269 on WB5, I thought when they didnt have presidents spare they put a Gemini on it, but apparently not.
Also caught an E200 on the 5 last night but as I saw one going past the other way decided it wasnt particularly unusual

There's probably not enough of them, but remember Walsall may possibly be requiring a few additional vehicles for the 934 & new 936 routes, working alongside the 935 Enviros.

Probably going to come from Perry Barr, makes sense as thats where the 934 is now

Makes sense to put this here ( and apologies for dragging up an old topic)...
Just found this article http://www.birminghammail.co.uk/news/local-news/birmingham-airport-most-accessible-uk-3573507
Apparently Birmingham airport is the most accessible. Although technically true I'm not entirely convinced it means anything, if you're going by bus even from local areas you have to change unless you happen to live on one of the few bus routes that actually do go to the airport, or go to a station and get the train. If you look at other airports they have a fairly extensive network of bus services, like Liverpool, the airport is smaller than Birmingham's and I suppose yes it is further from its station, but it has a fair number of routes. I always personally thought the only reason the 38 failed is because it wasn't frequent enough, and before anyone says anything I know there's much better options to get from the city centre to the airport but it isn't about that, its about the areas around acocks green and olton, possibly even hall green and shirley

564 on the 48 this afternoon. It was full and hilariously slow trying to get up Lightwoods Hill.

Saw it go past while I was waiting for one going the other way at uni earlier, can't imagine that would have been fun cause it was probably on im rush hour wasn't it?

Do you know the area though? Have you seen the route that article seems to suggest? Its awful, goes half a mile up the Walsall road, to do a U turn, turns left then near enough immediately right, ends up 50 yards down beeches road from where it originally would have been with not much to show for it, it wouldn't even make it as far as Scott Arms it would U turn before that. Turnberry road is only just about manageable as it is, if they put mini or midi-buses on that road it perhaps wouldn't be that bad, I can see no sense in sending any bus down Foden road, the 424 already does and from what I can see no one uses it.
(rant over, apologies)

Also of note is this article in the Express & Star today concerning the 952 route. The article suggests it is not confirmed yet though. http://www.expressandstar.com/news/transport-news/2013/05/09/anger-at-great-barr-bus-route-scheme/

Oh dear Christ I've just read that, please no, that would be an awful route.
My suggestion would be two routes, a 952 using Walsall rd, Beeches rd (in both directions) and possibly on to old oscott or even kingstanding, and a separate non express route using Aldridge rd, Thornbridge avenue, turnberry rd, calshot rd and to Scott arms. But hell when would they listen to me

I had no idea that the 49 now terminates on the Hagley Road instead of Bearwood Bus Station. Must pay more attention.

Does it? I didn't know either

Perhaps they kept it as the name of the fare stage just for a laugh?

99 branded Enviro200 801 was on the 98 this evening. 20.16 departure from QE to B'ham.

Was sat inb the Square Peg on weds evening and noticed a few 99 branded E200s finishing there then starting on the 98, guessing it's on the running board

There are exhibitions running right up until the day before the changes actually occur, they're not exactly giving passengers much time to get their heads around the new changes

This review doesn't seem to have so been as well planned & implemented as others

Ho hum....
They really should publish any details of changes long before they're due, so people can see the obvious flaws in them and hopefully get them rectified before its too late

I personally feel that the oldest buses in the depot should be put out at night as if they get vandalised or trashed at least its not happening to flagship or newer buses. However I know this wouldn't happen as its not practical!

You say that... I have noticed recently most of the late evening 51s are tridents