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With E330, I make that 95 E400EV's now at PB out of 116 total allocation.

Therefore, there should be 21 still left to enter service at PB.

I've double-checked & I'm pretty sure I've had a ride on a total of 96 PB. So with E330, I think it's 97.

Cheers

[PB]

BC: 6789; E252
MS: 2231
PB: 754
WA: E062
Paint: 2115; 2148; 2156; 4913; 4946; 4962; 6127; 6128; 6717; E055
Trailways: 4744
Hartshornes: 2086; 5502; 5518

Electrics delivered but not in service:-

PB	YW	BC	WA	WN	Aston	MS		Roberts
E202	E235	E274	E231	E237	E185	E232		E181
E273		E279	E239	E238	E245	E248
E311		E283	E244	E240	E298	E258
E313		E285	E246	E241	E312	E267
E314		E288	E247	E242	E319	E268
E316		E290	E249	E243	E321	E269
E317		E292	E250	E259	E322	E276
E320		E293	E254	E261	E323	E278
		E294	E260	E263		E280
		E295	E262	E264		E282
		E296	E265	E270		E284
			E266	E271		E286
			E275	E272
			E287	E277
				E281
				E291

Hi Tony.

I was on E316 (X3) and E317 (16) last Friday morning (23/08/24).

Cheers

So, if I haven't put it on either it's in the garage

OK, thanks

Hi, would any kind soul be able to shed any light on the whereabouts of E136?

It's most recent date on Bus Times was 12th October. It hasn't been reported on either of 'Vehicles Away From Home Garage' thread or 'Vehicles Seen in Service but Not Tracking on Bus Times' thread. Any ideas?

Many Thanks in advance.

94/95 currently experiencing delays as a result of temporary traffic lights at Saltley and then another set at Washwood Heath. 4917 got to the fox & goose 23 minutes down.
4917 - BK63 YWC – National Express West Midlands – bustimes.org

Was the same yesterday afternoon on there.

I got stuck in this last night. Upon leaving the City Centre, it took 50 minutes to travel to the Fox & Goose. This is just not sustainable for me, or i suspect for Bus Companies trying to run a service. I gather that it's supposed to be the same for another week. One to avoid, i think.
 

Always people panicking on the 94/95 when it does the Saltley loop on the way out to Ward End/Chelmsley. They say it should have gone left at the lights and the driver is going back to town, going the wrong way, driver doesn't know what he is doing etc. Saw it again tonight.

Was talking to a driver on the 95 this morning who said that Saltley Viaduct is closed for another month. Given the usual increase in traffic volume from September onwards, that long-winded diversion is certainly 1 to avoid.

Every homeless person has been offered some sort of accommodation during this pandemic, If they don't take it up or abuse it then is that the Mayors fault?

As i said, his ideas and initiatives haven't worked. The problem of homeless people in the City Centre remains. He's gone on record as saying that its been a more complex problem than he envisaged. Maybe we can add naivety to his attributes.

What has he 'Failed badly' on?

Birmingham's ongoing problem with homelessness.

I'm in the City Centre 6 days a week and its no better now than it was 5 years ago. If anything, its now worse. Prior to his appointment, he stated that sorting this out would be his priority. His time should be based purely on results, and regardless of his initiatives, he has failed.

Our City Centre streets are rife with these people, day-in, day-out. It paints a very grim picture for any tourists or potential investors.

Well said, Roy.

I couldn't agree more. I think that Tony and the Administrators/Moderators have done/are doing an excellent job - and long may it continue.

Here's to the next 10 years.

The plan is for the 55 to go double deck at BC, but BCC need to do some tree lopping first or there will be some broken upper saloon windows

Many thanks for confirming the plans. A good example of identifying an issue and doing something positive about it. Much appreciated.

They get ridiculously full at peaks.

Overcrowding on the 55 route is a subject that i've spoken about on many occasions over the last few years - both on here and also in person to NXWM staff.

With schools returning, we are all expecting an increase in passenger usage from next month. Something that the 55 will struggle with as things stand.

Granted, like most people that frequent this forum, we understand the reasons why its currently being run by single decks. But with Bordesley Depot closing & the 55 route heading for Central Garage, there is no reason why the capacity issues can't be resolved by using Double Deck buses.

I agree, but people will be prepared to queue to get into these shops.

Nobody expects a flick of a switch. I certainly don't. I'm simply talking about the attitude of government/transport providers regarding the message that they send out.

The word/words 'essential' or 'essential journies' simply cannot be used in any sensible conversation when non essential retail opens up.

I completely agree with you regarding the guidelines and the current situation.

Things will have to change from the 15th June though. The government is opening up non-essential retail and our Prime Minister has gone on record as encouraging people to go out and spend to help kick-start the economy. You cannot have a situation where Shopping Centres/Shopping areas in large City Centres are opening their doors, yet people are still discouraged from using public transport to get there. The idea would be absurd.
My teenage sister and all of her friends are counting down the days for the opportunity to come to Birmingham to visit Primark as the store has no online presence. They haven't been put off going out shopping & many young adults will feel the same. And with the amount of shopping these people buy, i can't see it all fitting on a pushbike.

Has sadiq khan put ample increases in frequencies? Similarly why hasn't the West Midlands increased frequencies to meet the surge in demand of people making essential journies to work?

It looks to me as though NXWM have. Although i counted 25 people on an 11C that i saw this morning.

I cant see where that quote is either.

My own personal opinion is that the same I would not get on a bus or train or tube that was overcrowded like the pictures weve seen in london. Doesn't mean I wouldn't use public transport it means I would be more mindful to avoid busy times to wait for a quieter service. But if I dont have to use public transport then I would use other means I.e walk or cycle as per government advice.

My commute into Birmingham City Centre is around 10 miles, so probably a bit too far to walk. in terms of cycling, our firm has no shower facilities. So the thought of either me or a colleague coming into the office smelling of an hour's cycle ride doesn't fill me with any joy at all.
Nobody is using these rush-hour services by choice. I'd gladly work 7am to 3pm if i could, but my boss says no. In the end, it comes down to the attitude and flexibility of the employer.