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7021 has now had it's overall wrap removed. Saw it on the 96 on Thursday. Still has it's old price branding underneath the wrap though.

Spotted an ex-NXWM crimson B7RLE turning right towards Dudley Port yesterday morning with Brit Coaches on the LED blinds.

I'm assuming this is the same operator.

Vehicle is BX56 XBS, ex NXWM 1750. Been on loan to Brit Coaches for a couple of weeks now for use on rail replacement as @Midland_Buses has already stated.

Been informed that Solus have handed back the 62 tender, with Stagecoach Midlands taking over from next week...

https://bustimes.org/services/62-leamington-leamington

So in a nutshell, is it bye bye Travel Express completly, or have they got away with a fine, but need 2 new transport managers?

Sorry, it's not clear.

(I know someone who uses their 303 in Willenhall!)

Well they are currently advertising for a Transport Manager...

https://www.route-one.net/careers/travel-express-ltd-transport-manager/?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR0g64e3_pDjt12znW_RWjag1FrRuQ8Bs0XRjgBFVDkBuWP7pj03hPV33KQ_aem_AQkBvnw6CQXRVJKD_6Ci8gJtnwVzI856dzaxC-M3kbsokYPqt2CSj2p0v76oSeYXu3bfCGdSYlojDyFFLr4tjy95

OMC Global based in Witney have announced the launch of their new Birmingham operation. Seen a couple of posts on Facebook too from the owner looking for drivers in the Midlands area, so will be interesting to see how these guys get along!

Carolean have a new depot in bescot now, I seen some of their buses and coaches parked there the other day. However buses still have legals as Darlaston. They have a new enviro 200 from vision bus on Friday I seen it still with vision bus logos on and their legals on. Reg is (YY64 GWC) this had paper blinds and paper legals with their new bescot legals.

Just seen it in Walsall. Still has Vision Bus logos on, but blinds are working.

Just seen that Stagecoach are going to be running an AV82 service from Birmingham to Villa Park on match days. Service will be starting from Dudley Street to Villa Park three hours before kick-off, then from Grosvenor Road to New Street after the match...

https://www.avfc.co.uk/news/2024/march/28/New-express-city-centre-shuttle-buses-set-to-launch-on-matchdays/

I saw a couple of Jkt vehicles turning off Central Drive in Dudleys Fields into that industrial estate that leads to the old Bloxwich level crossing about 420pm today.

Didnt get the regs though.

We had a couple of vehicles returning from a private hire around that time. I think it would have been MY24 JKT and GT19 JKT.

J.K.T International have acquired a second Limited Edition Irizar i6s Efficient Treinta. MY24 JKT being number 24 of the 30 being built.

WA1886 is on PB16.

Solus appear to have lost the Sunday 71/71A tender between Sutton Coldfield and Chelmsley Wood, with Stagecoach Midlands taking back over from this Sunday.

PN2104 was on PBFD this morning.

AS09 PAN is out on the 19 this morning.

WB4764 on WA51.

Had a ride on YX11 AEO earlier. Seemed alright to fair. Whilst the vehicle may still be in Vision Bus colours, it has logos on which clearly state the company name. Drivers have uniform and hi-vizs.

Only negative points I would say are that the vehicles currently have no ticket machines at the moment nor any assault screen.

Regarding the fleet, I've been told they have x2 ex Vision Bus E200's, so I'm guessing that ex Panther Travel E200 would mean they have three.

It is only the first day though, so we will see how things go. But it is good to see new operators giving bus work a go in the West Midlands.

Following on from my post the other day, I had a ride on YX11 AEE to Bloxwich this morning. Much better than AEO the other day. Cab assault screen was evident, working CCTV is shown on the vehicle and to top it off I had a nice/happy driver who was telling me the service has apparently been quite busy over the last couple of days (which I can believe as 16 people boarded the service which I caught on Sunday)!