Stagecoach in Birmingham

[MasterPlan]

Does anybody know why the 69 was renumbered to 169? Is there a point behind it?

[Wumpty]

It'll be interesting to see which frequencies those ads are on.

I guess they are only on Birmingham & Coventry Dab & Fm  as there's no point
on the Wolves Dab & Fm?

Which station out of interest?

Currently playing on Greatest Hits radio across Brum 105.2FM, across Black Country & Shropshire on 107.7/107.4FM as fillers and all DAB.

Due to launch, if not already on Capital, Heart & Smooth across the Midlands.

[Westy]

Currently playing on Greatest Hits radio across Brum 105.2FM, across Black Country & Shropshire on 107.7/107.4FM as fillers and all DAB.

Due to launch, if not already on Capital, Heart & Smooth across the Midlands.

As Stagecoach currently have no routes outside Brum & Coventry, I'm surprised ad time was bought on the Wolves/Shropshire transmitters!

[Wumpty]

As Stagecoach currently have no routes outside Brum & Coventry, I'm surprised ad time was bought on the Wolves/Shropshire transmitters!

They wouldn't necessarily buy airtime for BC&S - if there's a timing gap and the Stagecoach ad fits (e.g. 36" gap and it's a 34-36" ad, and it's a neighbour fit station, then they'll drop it in. Bearing in mind that their definition of the Black Country stretches as far down as the Halesowen/M5 J3 border!).

Saying that, they could've dropped this as an add-on for £XXX as a way to sell slow airtime.

[Stu]

Does anybody know why the 69 was renumbered to 169? Is there a point behind it?

Probably to differentiate it from the withdrawn 69, as the route is not quite the same.

I'm baffled as to why TfWM chose this though, especially considering all the moves in recent years to 'simplify' route numbers.

[ellspurs]

Probably to differentiate it from the withdrawn 69, as the route is not quite the same.

I'm baffled as to why TfWM chose this though, especially considering all the moves in recent years to 'simplify' route numbers.

They were going to renumber it the '25' but I glared at them too much.

[r700a]

Looks like the drivers are struggling on the 46. I think there's a closure on Redhill Rd which doesn't help, so diverting around it is probably difficult as they don't know the area well.

https://bustimes.org/services/46-kings-heath-qe-hospital/vehicles?date=2023-01-04#journeys/362076320

[Stevo]

Most of the Stagecoach E200s are in the new livery. It's very strange to see them come past my house on the new A9. Local bus stop signs in Olton still say 58.

[Secondary trigger 28]

It's been 3 days in a row where the 7:26 A9 to illshaw heath hasn't turned up. Had  to wait an  hour for the  next bus.

[BrumKev86]

Seen on the TFWM website when you look at the A9 timetable it has a warning that due to driver availability that services could be cancelled at short notice. Mentions all the new Birmingham and Solihull routes and the 51 and 7 Coventry Route. They have not even been running it a week!. Shouldn't be mega surprised, my sister has had more bus no shows on the 87/88 getting to Knowle under stagecoach than Johnsons and Diamond.


https://legacy.wmnetwork.co.uk/plan-your-journey/find-a-timetable/#/route/cen_390A9_%20_H_y11_1-1

[Secondary trigger 28]

It's strange how stagecoach still took these 3 new routes even though  they were struggling  to cope with driver shortage already.

[Coventrybususer95]

It's strange how stagecoach still took these 3 new routes even though  they were struggling  to cope with driver shortage already.

Wonder if its anything to do with the new owners trying to gain new opportunities without knowing how many drivers they have 

[don]

They wouldn't necessarily buy airtime for BC&S - if there's a timing gap and the Stagecoach ad fits (e.g. 36" gap and it's a 34-36" ad, and it's a neighbour fit station, then they'll drop it in. Bearing in mind that their definition of the Black Country stretches as far down as the Halesowen/M5 J3 border!).

Saying that, they could've dropped this as an add-on for £XXX as a way to sell slow airtime.

Are we sure this isn't a national campaign? The Stagecoach ads are on radio in the south east also, majoring on the £2 max single fare and quoting the Government initiative to assist with the cost of living. 

It's strange how stagecoach still took these 3 new routes even though  they were struggling  to cope with driver shortage already.

Presumably the resources were already available from Rugby - at the end of the day its M6 J1 to J4 running dead, not a massive length (although obviously that could be subject to delays when there's disruption). 

[ellspurs]

Presumably the resources were already available from Rugby - at the end of the day its M6 J1 to J4 running dead, not a massive length (although obviously that could be subject to delays when there's disruption).

The ones I've looked at on bustimes have ran up the a45 to m42 j6 when coming from Rugby.

[Tony]

The ones I've looked at on bustimes have ran up the a45 to m42 j6 when coming from Rugby.

I believe the drivers have been told they cannot use the M6