Free travel New Years day

[Rachvince53]

Given the bad weather forecast (heavy rain and strong winds), I wonder how many will take advantage of the free travel (apart from those who have to travel)?

[Westy]

Given the bad weather forecast (heavy rain and strong winds), I wonder how many will take advantage of the free travel (apart from those who have to travel)?

Well Ive got the next 2 days off work, & Ive got some stuff in ready, for next lot of work sarnies, so I shouldnt need to go out either!

[BlackCountryBusSpotter]

Given the bad weather forecast (heavy rain and strong winds), I wonder how many will take advantage of the free travel (apart from those who have to travel)?

I might depending on times use it to get to and from Darlaston to Bentley to watch the Football provided the game goes ahead, if not I may ask my mate if there is any tickets left at the Albion and use the free buses to get to West Brom, but I doubt there will be. 

[Isle of Stroma]

I might depending on times use it to get to and from Darlaston to Bentley to watch the Football provided the game goes ahead, if not I may ask my mate if there is any tickets left at the Albion and use the free buses to get to West Brom, but I doubt there will be.

That reminds me of an epic P.A. announcement at Dudley Wood Stadium (RIP the Heathens) during the late 80's:

"First prize in tonight's raffle is a season ticket for the Albion."

"Second prize, TWO season tickets for the Albion..."   

[karl724223]

HAPPY NEW YEAR 🎉🎊🎈
Ps differant year same me 😂

[karl724223]

Nobody gone out today for a free ride 

[Stu]

Nobody gone out today for a free ride

I did, but I have a monthly pass anyway, so made no difference to me!

Went to Kings Heath and back to get some shopping, both the buses I travelled on were practically empty, as were other ones I saw passing through Kings Heath.

I will be intrigued to see what our Mayor has to say about how successful today's offer was.

Was good to see the card reader and fare chute covered with a proper notice stating 'free bus travel today', as opposed to the carrier bags and sheets last time round!

[BlackCountryBusSpotter]

The game ended up being called off and the game was a sell put 

[Rachvince53]

Busy on the Wolves 15A and 16 this afternoon. Not so busy on the Wolves 26A, 27, 81 or 82 (all Diamond services). 

[karl724223]

I did, but I have a monthly pass anyway, so made no difference to me!

Went to Kings Heath and back to get some shopping, both the buses I travelled on were practically empty, as were other ones I saw passing through Kings Heath.

I will be intrigued to see what our Mayor has to say about how successful today's offer was.

Was good to see the card reader and fare chute covered with a proper notice stating 'free bus travel today', as opposed to the carrier bags and sheets last time round!

I had to pop out in the car and I must admit I didn't see anybody at any bus stop on my travels  

[2206]

I did, but I have a monthly pass anyway, so made no difference to me!

Went to Kings Heath and back to get some shopping, both the buses I travelled on were practically empty, as were other ones I saw passing through Kings Heath.

I will be intrigued to see what our Mayor has to say about how successful today's offer was.

Was good to see the card reader and fare chute covered with a proper notice stating 'free bus travel today', as opposed to the carrier bags and sheets last time round!

The 01:00 94 was full and standing out of Birmingham and had to bypass the Matthew Boulton stop because for some reason thousands of men with some families in the mix marched from Centenary Square down to New Street in the dead of the night and then many wanted to catch the bus home. People in the area were wondering what was going on.

The police superintendent in the daily Mail article on it claims they went to see a hoax fireworks display.
I use that journey regularly and really it is never that busy normally.

[Westy]

I had to pop out in the car and I must admit I didn't see anybody at any bus stop on my travels 

I had to pop to the Asda by me not long after 10am.

It was extremely quiet in there.

No 'proper' tills open, only self serve.

I did spot some 31/32's and there wasnt many on each one.

I put it down to 'Its early'!

[Stu]

The 01:00 94 was full and standing out of Birmingham and had to bypass the Matthew Boulton stop because for some reason thousands of men with some families in the mix marched from Centenary Square down to New Street in the dead of the night and then many wanted to catch the bus home. People in the area were wondering what was going on.

The police superintendent in the daily Mail article on it claims they went to see a hoax fireworks display.
I use that journey regularly and really it is never that busy normally.

That was nothing to do with today's free travel offer though?

[2206]

That was nothing to do with today's free travel offer though?

It was in reference to the practically empty comment. That journey was busier than I've ever seen it. I've never seen it have to turn people away before.

4888 00:01 to Frankley had a hi vis over the cash vault, both 4885 & 4929 have the yelllow cards in the cash vault today (nothing covering the card reader) and 4926 had nothing.

[Stu]

It was in reference to the practically empty comment. That journey was busier than I've ever seen it.

The 4888 00:01 to Frankley has a hi vis over the cash vault, both 4885 & 4929 have yelllow cards in the cash vault (nothing over the card reader) and 4926 had nothing.

I thought the free travel offer was only from start of service today, ie around 7am.

Yes, I did read that there were some fake social media posts about some fireworks event in the city centre last night, and it seems many people ignored the warnings and went there anyway. 

I hope the mayor isn't planning to use those 'exceptional' loadings for today's offer being a "huge success", as otherwise it seems many people are reporting bus usage to be 'very light' today.