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Do the numbers given on the VOSA registrations actually matter? I only ask because , if I'm not mistaken, for the Sandwell review, the old section of the 123 (now covered by the bizzare 46 extension to Aston) is registered as 653? And the NX evening and sunday services on the 935A registered as 56A?

Nice one, cheers
Noticed the last time I was in Cov that DeC were using relatively new looking buses on the 801, definitely makes a change from the B6's I remember when NXC were running it

Im hoping there may be extra X51s to Cannock

Face it I think a lot of people are. But I'm not convinced that will happen because it's a "North Birmingham and Sutton Coldfield review", only 3 stops on the x51 really come into it

All valid details, and as you've asked here are my arguements for trams, feel free to shoot me down on any of them....

1) they are more local (ie, more stops closer together) and yet still quicker than bus

2) they are a lot more frequent than trains

3) they have the scope to go more places than rail can, ie along trunk roads such as the Coventry / Bristol / Hagley roads

4) the wolves - walsall and walsall - wednesbury proposals are along old lines that wouldn't be much use reopened as heavy rail (as there already are better options)

5) I may be biased because "all trains in the midlands go to birmingham" is all I've ever known, but that is the way I see the train network as being, I see tram lines as opportunites to link all the various towns / villages / etc, espcecially in an area such as the Black Country

I've seen mention in passing somewhere on here about an Outer circle in Coventry. Is this an actual plan? I imagine it would involve the 701/801/etc...

None spare at peak times then, so the odd Trident/Spectra should still appear

Personally loving the idea that the 1 will have all brand spanking new buses..... except for one random old spectra still plodding along in amongst

I know from a business point of view it makes sense, but I find it sad that NXWM keep cancelling smaller local routes that serve local communities i.e. 651. I remember when there were a ton of these kinds of routes that zigzagged around and now they're all but gone or being operated by shoddy small bus companies that don't seem to operate to a timetable and use ancient vehicles.

651 is a bit different, only introduced to serve the Nether Hall estate when the houses were built, but no one really uses it beyond getting from Hamstead up to the Asda at Queslett

Interesting - currently advertised as "Another phase of Nether Hall Park, a beautiful development on the outskirts of Birmingham, with excellent commuter links"  ;) I presume the 651 was meant to be a public transport link from the site (Great Barr Park) to other public transport links (railway at Hamstead - other buses to Bimingham. I guess you will have to walk across the development and get the improved 5 if you want a public transport option now. I wonder if it was a condition of the development, which has been relaxed/expired?

It probably was, i seem to remember people who moved in got free bus passes for the first year or something like that

I know from a business point of view it makes sense, but I find it sad that NXWM keep cancelling smaller local routes that serve local communities i.e. 651. I remember when there were a ton of these kinds of routes that zigzagged around and now they're all but gone or being operated by shoddy small bus companies that don't seem to operate to a timetable and use ancient vehicles.

651 is a bit different, only introduced to serve the Nether Hall estate when the houses were built, but no one really uses it beyond getting from Hamstead up to the Asda at Queslett

Anyone heard any rumours about changes yet.

No, no official changes at all. It is thought to be the 21 or 28 April so something needs to be announced by NWM pretty shortly.

Wouldn't hold my breath, going on the previous reviews I doubt to hear anything before easter

I think what Kevin is trying to say is that due to part of the X51 route not being a dual carraiageway, the X51 shouldn't work. But because it does, then a X9 would be viable because part of the 9's route isn't a dual carriageway either.
Though I wouldn't compare the two routes because the 51 route has a higher percentage of dual carriageway, bus lanes, flyovers and underpasses that the X51 utilises.

Exactly what I was trying to say. Christ I'm not saying the X51 isn't a good thing, hell I live on the route and forever greatful for it. Just saying that just because the 9 doens't have major stretches of dual carriageway and underpasses etc doesn't mean an express service wouldnt work. The City - Halesowen section, although yes it doesnt compare exactly to the city - scott arms section of the x51, is surely good enough for an express service? And beyond Halesowen (granted it has been a few years since I've been all the way to Stourbridge on it) if it is single carriageway, providing little overtaking opportunities etc, then it's only like the X51 along the Birmingham Road in Walsall, and yet that is still limited stop, and being limited stop on these sections I would say is just as important as having sections where there are no stops to miss out (on the flyovers)

Outside the peaks a Limited Stop Birmingham - Halesowen service probably would work - after all, Midland Red X92/X93 provided just this for many years.  But in the peaks, a Limited Stop bus would be hardly any quicker - almost certainly not enough to make it worth waiting for one if a 9 or 141 turned up first.

And in that sense I would also compare it the the X51, sometimes in the peak hours I've caught the 51 (having to get off in Newtown) and it's been just as quick/slow as the X51

'Chances are Arriva will sell it'? But if its an unprofitable basket case whod want to buy it?

Diamond? hell, they might aswell, another Redditch all over

right,so people are complaing about Arrivas buses & want to replace them with a company known for Nasty Darts  ::) & do you realy think that if diamond get arriva cannock buses they will change the interior 1 bit?  ::)

Kinda meant tongue in cheek, but take it whichever way you will....

I saw Gemini 4658 on the 966 in Solihull this evening, is this an unusual working nowadays as I only seem to see Presidents on the route these days.

Still see one or two Geminis whenever I'm in Erdington

Thanks Tony for the comprehensive reasons why WMT got to Leamington - it's always fascinating and useful to know why things happen.

It's perhaps surprising that NXC still run to Leamington with frequent Stagecoach services all around, even though it has a part of Kenilworth all to itself.  Presumably there is enough trade to make it worthwhile.

Sticking me neck out a bit on this one, but could it be becasue NXC run Cov - Earlsdon - Uni - Leamington, whereas Stagecoach do Leam - Uni only?

Hate to say it but I reckon it's down to just one thing - NIMBYism
By all accounts (ok, not all, one account - from someone who's only lived a few years in Manc) there is opposition to the tram routes, but they just get ignored

At last someone with sense I have made the same point but just get lambasted via karma or other ways express routes only work on the points you have made like the suggestion on A 9 express route there is some dual carriage way but where is the dual carrigeway into stourbridge from halesowen and on the hagley rd from bearwood and look at five ways even with the underpass it still queues

The X51 doesnt run on a dual carriageway in Walsall, therefore it won't work and shouldnt exist?