Dudley Network Review

[Stu]

But come on, the 'experts' have identified the need to banish all these three digit numbers as they are too complicated!   Not like they've had this number since the beginning of time or anything is it...

@Straightlines I would question if these 'experts' regularly travel
on the local bus network...

It has been stated several times that since the Wolverhampton review, where route numbers started to be simplified, this was actually a request from a lot of passengers at the time, and one thing they wanted was a simpler local network, with easy to remember route numbers.

A lot of people still think all these changes are being done for 'fun' and because people running public transport have got nothing better to do. Before all of these reviews, consultations have taken place, where passengers have had the opportunity to put forward suggestions and make comments on proposals.

The 'experts' have access to lots of data in addition to passenger survey feedback. The quality of recent consultations has been very good in my opinion, gone are the days when passengers were just given a 'blank sheet' to put forward ideas, which meant you ended up with a lot of (in my opinion) useless contributions from 'armchair network planners' who just wanted buses to go somewhere nice, for the rare occasions they would use that service. Or the clown on my Facebook page who used to suggest that every bus from Birmingham should go to Merry Hill, or extend them to Bromsgrove, or Oxford. The last few consultations have started with some draft proposals, drawn up by the 'experts', and then presented to passengers for feedback. If passengers decline the opportunity to take part in these consultation exercises, that's their loss, they'd probably still whine anyway.

I get that some people are unhappy about the changes being made, but sometimes changes do need to be made, as travelling habits change, and certain areas become more popular than others (and vice versa) for work or leisure purposes etc. Its a shame we don't hear so much from the people who are actually happy with the changes (and there are some out there, for instance there's a fella I used to often see on the 37, who would get on in Tyseley, and then change onto a 1 or 31 in Acocks Green, he must be happy with the new 4A service!)

And while I don't mind people voicing their opinion, I have to admit that some of the negativity being expressed here recently, especially towards NX Bus, and TfWM, is getting a bit over the top, and I think that some people are just being egged on by others.

So please just all take a deep breath, calm down a bit, and see what happens.

Haha wait your saying nx aren't the best. Hell no that's not allowed to be said on this forum

There's nothing wrong with fair criticism of a bus operator, especially if you can back it up with a reasoned argument. That's how debate works.

If you want to start criticising those who volunteer to run this forum in their own spare time, without any reasoned argument, you may find your ability to debate here becomes limited.  ;D

[Tony]

Haha wait your saying nx aren't the best. Hell no that's not allowed to be said on this forum

Do you actually read what is put, or think what you are posting?

[Bus1237]

It has been stated several times that since the Wolverhampton review, where route numbers started to be simplified, this was actually a request from a lot of passengers at the time, and one thing they wanted was a simpler local network, with easy to remember route numbers.

In the South Birmingham consultation it said:

All our research shows that the top three things our customers want, in order, are:
1. Frequency (how often buses arrive)
2. Journey time (how long the bus takes to get there)
3. Price (value for money)
Our proposals are in line with local policy and strategy. Transforming Bus Travel proposed a substantial overhaul
of the network guided by:
1. Simplicity (fewer routes and more logical numbers)
2. High frequency routes to key centres
3. Complementary routes with lower frequencies for local and customised travel needs

So clearly not many passengers cared about simplicity? I understand why they are doing it but people's main priorities weren't listened to. Obviously this isn't the Dudley consultation but simplification did take place on that consultation too.

[sonic84]

I would be interested to know whether passenger numbers increased due to the simplification of the network, and therefore more changes of buses required.

Eg, Weoley Castle to Five Ways now requires a change of bus but would have been one journey before.

[MasterPlan]

I would be interested to know whether passenger numbers increased due to the simplification of the network, and therefore more changes of buses required.

Eg, Weoley Castle to Five Ways now requires a change of bus but would have been one journey before.

Northfield to Five Ways too.
Bartley Green to Selly Oak.
Kitwell to Harborne

[Justin Tyme]

How long has the 120 been the 120, I know it was originally a Midland red route but seriously I've seen pics of it in various forms from as far back as the 70s, likewise with the 128/9 in there original form.

The 120 has been the 120 since 1928, although in those days the Oldbury - Dudley section was basically via the current 87 route.  Rounds Green was served from 1929, and Oakham from 1953.

The 140 has been the 140 also since 1928.  It ran Birmingham - Dudley - Gornal Wood until 1939.  The Gornal Wood section then became the D40 and lasted with that number into WMPTE days.

I haven't got details of the 128/129 to hand, but I think they originally started in the Warley revisions of 1980.

[Brummie45]

I only remember the 136/137 that used to run between Birmingham and Gornal Wood

Did a 130 used to go to Kinver from Birmingham or am I mistaken.

[Mike K]

I only remember the 136/137 that used to run between Birmingham and Gornal Wood

Did a 130 used to go to Kinver from Birmingham or am I mistaken.

No you are correct, some journeys on the 130 extended from Stourbridge through to Kinver.

[OH25]

what I have found:
2/2A - Dudley to Merry Hill (222)

3 - West Bromwich to Merry Hill (289)
3A - West Bromwich to Blackheath

6 - Dudley to Stourbridge (246)

7 - Dudley to Wollaston (276)

8 - Wrens Nest to Wollaston Farm (X96)

11/11A - Dudley to Walsall (11/13)

12/12A - Birmingham to Dudley (120/120A/121)

13 - Birmingham to Oldbury (128)
13A - Birmingham to Blackheath (127)

14 - Dudley to Halesowen (241)

15/15A - Wolverhampton to Merry Hill (255/255A)

16/16S - Wolverhampton to Stourbridge (256/256S)

17 - Dudley to Stourbridge (257)

18 - Dudley to Merry Hill (243)

19 - Dudley to QE Hospital (244)

31/32 - Walsall to Mossley/Lower Farm (301/302)

126 - Birmingham to Dudley

X7 - Birmingham to Wolverhampton
(Mon-Sat it runs until just before 7pm from Birmingham)

X8 - Birmingham to Wolverhampton (140)


SIDE NOTES:
*42/43 and 43A changes on the 19th and 20th of August
*205 didn't have a bus number change but will run between Dudley and Kingswinford.
Wall Heath gets one in the morning and one in the afternoon.

[winston]

SIDE NOTES:
*42/43 and 43A changes on the 19th and 20th of August
*205 didn't have a bus number change but will run between Dudley and Kingswinford.
Wall Heath gets one in the morning and one in the afternoon.

The 205 will become the 5 (as per Diamond's short notice registration below)

PD0001374/414 Registered (Short notice)
DIAMOND BUS LTD
Route: Dudley Bus Station to Merry Hill Bus Station
Service number: 18
Service type: Normal Stopping
Effective date: 02 Sep 2018

PD0001374/416 Registered
DIAMOND BUS LTD
Route: Dudley Bus Station to Stourbridge Bus Station via Wall Heath
Service number: 17
Service type: Normal Stopping
Effective date: 02 Sep 2018

PD0001374/458 Registered (Short notice)
DIAMOND BUS LTD
Route: Dudley Bus Station to Wall Heath
Service number: 5
Service type: Normal Stopping
Effective date: 02 Sep 2018

[MasterPlan]

what I have found:
12/12A - Birmingham to Dudley (120/121)

I thought they were replacing the 120/120A

[Kevin]

I thought they were replacing the 120/120A

12A through to Dudley from Oldbury as per 121
120A Oldbury to Blackheath becomes the 3A through from West Brom, tidies up the corridor with 3/3A/4/4A/4H, personally seems like a far more sensible solution to the forever changing service round the Lion Farm area

[2900]

 Oh look all ready to go

[2900]

13B looks like 138

[BN]

what I have found:
2/2A - Dudley to Merry Hill (222)

3 - West Bromwich to Merry Hill (289)
3A - West Bromwich to Blackheath

6 - Dudley to Stourbridge (246)

7 - Dudley to Wollaston (276)

8 - Wrens Nest to Wollaston Farm (X96)

11/11A - Dudley to Walsall (11/13)

12/12A - Birmingham to Dudley (120/120A/121)

13 - Birmingham to Oldbury (128)
13A - Birmingham to Blackheath (127)

14 - Dudley to Halesowen (241)

15/15A - Wolverhampton to Merry Hill (255/255A)

16/16S - Wolverhampton to Stourbridge (256/256S)

17 - Dudley to Stourbridge (257)

18 - Dudley to Merry Hill (243)

19 - Dudley to QE Hospital (244)

31/32 - Walsall to Mossley/Lower Farm (301/302)

126 - Birmingham to Dudley

X7 - Birmingham to Wolverhampton
(Mon-Sat it runs until just before 7pm from Birmingham)

X8 - Birmingham to Wolverhampton (140)


SIDE NOTES:
*42/43 and 43A changes on the 19th and 20th of August
*205 didn't have a bus number change but will run between Dudley and Kingswinford.
Wall Heath gets one in the morning and one in the afternoon.

Is the 82 changing numbers?