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Driverless shuttle bus on show at Wythal transport museum
BD20 RJU capacity 10 passengers
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c2lzn9xy415o


"The Auto Shuttle was designed and developed by the Coventry company Aurrigo.

It was first tested at the NEC in 2020, where it operated autonomously along a one-mile pre-mapped section and transported more than 1,000 people during the four-week test period".

Nasty collision & fire near Heathrow last night reported by Sky
8156 on the H26 Hatton Cross route
https://news.sky.com/story/three-people-die-in-crash-between-car-and-bus-near-heathrow-13339575

https://www.tfwm.org.uk/media/couldxoi/coventry-city-centre-20240929.pdf

That map says that it hasn't stopped there since at least 29th September 2024.

Thks for the info. I must have been lucky as I have got off the 13 at TS5 a few times over the last couple of months mainly using quite full services. I reckon drivers are sensibly using their discretion - I wasn't aware the stop had been pulled. In my experience the demand to alight there remains high for all passengers.

Sounds like TfWM might do well to have another look at what they have done.

Why has TfWM in all their regal glory recently decided to stop the NXC 13 and SC 86 calling at stop TS5 Ironmonger Row (back of Primark)?

Talking to an old guy when popping into town he needs to get off the 13/86 at TS5 as he cant manage the hill so now he is stuffed. He reckons there are many others with accessibility problems who have the same problem. Apparently TS5 was always intended as the main drop off point for people with accessibility needs who want Broadgate? He remembered when buses used to serve Broadgate as the heart of the city centre.

He reckons no one knew in advance - so the poor old bus driver is getting abuse when the bus correctly drives past the stop.

If this is correct don't TfWM have some explaining to do? 

From that article:
I know it says "investing millions" but I wonder how much it is costing just to build this 220 metre length of track?

Stu, a good question, and after a bit of searching, it seems there is an estimate by the council.
"£8.34m is therefore the budget for the city centre demonstrator element of the project"

Not sure if this is the cost of the 220 metres track or the full length from the station to the city centre? I would guess its just the 220m section?

The following was published in Rail Business Daily today.
https://news.railbusinessdaily.com/universal-signalling-supporting-colas-rail-to-deliver-coventry-very-light-rail-demonstrator-track/

The last paragraph is interesting - "The Coventry VLR project is expected to significantly contribute to the city's efforts to decarbonise transport, tackle climate change, and improve air quality".

I thought Coventry was changing to all electric buse fleets to decarbonise transport so not sure why is VLR necessary?

That looks more like Greyfriars Road to me, which would be a more sensible option if they're planning to link the Railway Station with the centre...

Whoops, sorry I meant Greyfriars Road. I don't think the taxi drivers would be happy if it was going along Greyfriars Lane!
Post now corrected.

WMCA photo of the very short length of test track construction site in Greyfriars Road.
https://www.wmca.org.uk/news/work-under-way-on-pioneering-coventry-very-light-rail-test-track/

"We are investing millions in this project, and the start of work on this test track shows how close we are to making this a reality."

The on road test will offer local people an opportunity to ride in the vehicle and provide feedback.

Not sure what the trench in the photo is for as seems to be right in the middle of the road. If it is for the VLR track it could be fun getting on and off the tram and avoiding the passing traffic?

Thks. Is there a list somewhere?
I wondered if any SC Midlands EV's could be seen down there?

I am hearing that SC did use 2 EVs loaned from Oxford 80016 & 80043. They returned to Oxford each evening - 42 miles each way.

Also SC Midlands loaned 11230  (Leamington?) & 11651 (Northampton?). 

I wonder if it was the quoted Inspector (name shown in the article) from Safer Travel police who issued the information? And then why? Could it possibly be job justification? Seems to me unfair to pick on NXC.

SC don't seem to get any grief/crime on their routes (not on the X17/X18 at least. Always loved driving them routes).
From what I've noticed, it only seems to be NXC/NXWM that has the crime.

It's interesting even though the SC 60 serves Willenhall also but much less freq compared to NXC.

Noted as well the NXC 13 to Willenhall isn't on the list?

[Service 21 (Willenhall to Wood End):]

From Coventry Live 
https://www.coventrytelegraph.net/news/coventry-news/dangerous-coventry-bus-services-named-31137825
 
There's more info in the link. Here are the reports worst routes for crime (Jan - Sep 2024 apparently)
Services in Coventry with Highest Reported Offences

• Service 21 (Willenhall to Wood End): 17
• Service 3 (Warwickshire Shopping Park to Arena Shopping Park): 11
• Service X1 (Coventry to Birmingham): 9
• Service 20 (Coventry to Nuneaton): 8
• Service 8 (Allesley Park to Walsgrave): 7
• Service 15 (Coventry to Whitmore Park): 7
• Service 6 (Coventry to Tanyard Farm): 6
• Service 11 (Coventry to Leamington Spa): 5

Seems unfair to highlight only NXC. I wonder if SC get similar amounts of crime in Coventry?

NXC E130 on the 3 this morning had a cracked windscreen. Vertical about 300mm long at bottom of screen in n/side corner in front of entrance door. Wonder if the front LH pillar got knocked?

Could be VLR decision day tomorrow if the Coventry paper is correct?

Well the Coventry VLR has been very quiet for a while...  Now some news.

https://www.coventrytelegraph.net/news/coventry-news/work-starts-coventrys-very-light-31193167 

Installation work on the new test track is underway

They do.

Most divisions send buses

Thks. Is there a list somewhere?
I wondered if any SC Midlands EV's could be seen down there?