Service Changes Jan 2025

[MW]

Some of these changes are quite interesting, I like the idea of using the 6xx series again, I've always thought that bus services that are 'entirely' subsidised by TfWM should all be in the 6xx series and advertised to that fact if you see a service in the 6xx it means use it or lose it, it would make passengers more aware. I am however struggling with the use of number 188, I don't know where that has come from., it doesn't make much sense

Nothing is entirely subsidised by TfWM. The operator bears an element of risk when calculating passenger revenue, as part of costing a tender.

Entirely subsidised by TfWM would mean that all onboard fares went directly to TfWM rather than the Operator.

[monkeyjoe]

The constant renumbering of routes does nothing apart from confuse everybody. And since one of the reason for ditching certain groups of numbers was it was easier to remember two digits than three, have people's memories suddenly got better?

It's almost like they change their minds every couple of decades 

[BlackCountryBusSpotter]

Noticed Diamond have regained the 65 they Operated it a couple of years ago I believe the first couple of journeys on the Veichle operated on the 310 or the last journeys, wonder what the 54, 54A will use and the 637 will presumably use a Mellor or new Merc 

[Jack]

Noticed Diamond have regained the 65 they Operated it a couple of years ago I believe the first couple of journeys on the Veichle operated on the 310 or the last journeys, wonder what the 54, 54A will use and the 637 will presumably use a Mellor or new Merc

The West Brom 54 most likely won't be a Mellor or Merc, a SWB vehicle would be better suited, Solo's probably.

[Stu]

The constant renumbering of routes does nothing apart from confuse everybody. And since one of the reason for ditching certain groups of numbers was it was easier to remember two digits than three, have people's memories suddenly got better?

I would understand the renumbering, eg A1 to 601, if there were any meaningful changes to the service.

But both the A1 and A2 are being renumbered "for the sake of it"; apart from the change of operator, there is no change to route or timetable.

Surely it would be more cost-effective to keep the existing route numbers? Because after all there is now an additional cost incurred by having to print off a load of new vinyls for the bus stop flags, as well as print off new timetable posters. And then pay the contractor (Mitie?) to go around and replace them all.

What a waste of time and money, especially since these are already subsidised services.

[monkeyjoe]

I would understand the renumbering, eg A1 to 601, if there were any meaningful changes to the service.

But both the A1 and A2 are being renumbered "for the sake of it"; apart from the change of operator, there is no change to route or timetable.

Surely it would be more cost-effective to keep the existing route numbers? Because after all there is now an additional cost incurred by having to print off a load of new vinyls for the bus stop flags, as well as print off new timetable posters. And then pay the contractor (Mitie?) to go around and replace them all.

What a waste of time and money, especially since these are already subsidised services.

Maybe it's part of a longer vision linked to the new mayors franchising plan, I would like think they are strategically planning but some how I doubt it. 

[Stu]

It will be interesting to see how the A12 and A15 get combined together as the new 630.

There's a nice nod there to the old service number 30, which I used to catch when I lived in Acocks Green. How times change though, back in 2008, NX ran it using Metrobuses, it was every half hour during the day and every twenty minutes during the morning peak between 7:30am and 8:30am. Those double-decks would be filled to capacity, mostly with school-kids going to Langley and Blossomfield Schools.

I guess from Acocks Green village, it will just extend to Shirley station via the current A15 route.

It reminds me of a suggestion I made some years ago for an Acocks Green-Solihull circular route. From The Baldwin, rather than going on to Shirley station, it then replaced that part of the 5 route via Shirley and Monkspath to Solihull.

[Stu]

Maybe it's part of a longer vision linked to the new mayors franchising plan, I would like think they are strategically planning but some how I doubt it.

Part of me thinks the franchising plan may be more advanced than has been let on, so you might be right about that.

But then again, these routes will probably end up getting renumbered again in a couple of years time.

At least the companies that produce the vinyls and posters for the bus stops are being kept busy!

[Rachvince53]

Part of me thinks the franchising plan may be more advanced than has been let on, so you might be right about that.

But then again, these routes will probably end up getting renumbered again in a couple of years time.

At least the companies that produce the vinyls and posters for the bus stops are being kept busy!

Especially when mistakes are made such as printing both the old and new timetables on the WN25!

[wembley86]

Are the changes to the 40 Wednesbury to West Bromwich as someone is saying it's just going to be diamond 

[Justin Tyme]

It will be interesting to see how the A12 and A15 get combined together as the new 630.

There's a nice nod there to the old service number 30

Also, I wonder if the choice of 664/665 is a nod to the more distant past, as West Midlands PTE services 164/165 ran to Wythall in the 1970s.