Diamond West Midlands - Kidderminster

[IMarkeh]

There is no way from the article you can tell financial support is offered as you say, it makes it look like it is fully commercial and bustimes hints that as well.

PD0001374/467 – bustimes.org

Just a disclaimer, bustimes data there comes directly from the traffic commissioner and so it's whatever the OTC have inputted into their databases (which is often dictated by what operators put on their registration paperwork)

[2206]

Diamond are pleased to announce that the Kidderminster to Bridgnorth part of the 125 service will continue, following additional funding provided by Shropshire County Council.
We understand that many people were concerned to hear that the 125 service would be potentially withdrawn, due to it no longer being commercially viable to operate in its current form. We are pleased that following discussions with Shropshire County Council, they have agreed to provide funding from their Bus Improvement Fund to allow this service to continue.
A new timetable and route operating between Kidderminster and Bridgnorth via Highley will commence from week commencing 20^th April, until this date the current 125 timetable and route will continue as normal.
The new 125 will be re-routed between Kidderminster and Bewdley to cover the Habberley and Catchems End areas which are currently covered by the 8 service. In line with this, service 8 will be withdrawn from 20th April and replaced by the 125. Passengers on Bewdley Hill will still be able to use the 292 and other connecting services.
We are in discussion with local authorities regarding options to serve the Rifle Range and also to continue provide a service between Kidderminster and Stourbridge. We will update passengers on the outcome of these discussions as soon as possible.
You can download the new 125 timetable from 20th April here.


Will the 292 be rerouted to use Bewdley Hill in both directions @Simon Dunn, as far as I know it doesn't stop on Sutton Park Road anyway inbound.
For the Rifle Range wonder if the 15 could serve it somehow, or if the 292 was to stop on Sutton Park you could have had stops at Parry Road/Rifle Range Rd junctions?

[Budgie]

Really interesting set of changes in April. As per the latest info on the Diamond website.  The 1 in intriguing showing a big gap in the morning peak.

https://www.diamondbuses.com/media/5836/1-timetable-200425.pdf

Every 30 minutes except when a "9-5 worker" needs it.  Arrivals into Kidderminster 07:47 and then 09:07.  Is this because there is an alternative service in that slot, an error or just simply because the priority is elsewhere - I.e. schools and not standard office/retail workers.

In the evening a gap from 14:45 to 16:00 from Kidderminster.  For those working in the bus sector these gaps probably makes perfect sense, from an office/ retail workers perspective, it makes the car an inevitable option. But maybe they are not the target market. 

[the trainbasher]

Really interesting set of changes in April. As per the latest info on the Diamond website.  The 1 in intriguing showing a big gap in the morning peak.

https://www.diamondbuses.com/media/5836/1-timetable-200425.pdf

Every 30 minutes except when a "9-5 worker" needs it.  Arrivals into Kidderminster 07:47 and then 09:07.  Is this because there is an alternative service in that slot, an error or just simply because the priority is elsewhere - I.e. schools and not standard office/retail workers.

In the evening a gap from 14:45 to 16:00 from Kidderminster.  For those working in the bus sector these gaps probably makes perfect sense, from an office/ retail workers perspective, it makes the car an inevitable option. But maybe they are not the target market.

Unless its because the bus is doing a Schools run between those times?

[Rachvince53]

Unless its because the bus is doing a Schools run between those times?

Could be. However its also possible that the buses used for those journeys go onto or come off another route so the gap is for operational needs. 

[2206]

Could be. However it's also possible that the buses used for those journeys go onto or come off another route so the gap is for operational needs.

Yes it's doing a school bus and @Simon Dunn said  it will require a big bus (I'm expecting most likely Streetlites & maybe the occasional B7RLE).
I think it's either the 828 or 829 it will be doing as it fits in with the times for that service.

Noticed the front blind on 30813 on the 10 wasn't working today as well. Paper number in the windscreen.

[ellspurs]

Sorry for not noticing the fleet numbers, but a 192 which was in Hayley Green about 1:30pm ish (it was a 58 plate vehicle) had the front destination display set in the side destination setting (writing all tiny).

Further up the road, at the a459/a456 junction, a 68 plate 002 had broken down.

[2206]

Sorry for not noticing the fleet numbers, but a 192 which was in Hayley Green about 1:30pm ish (it was a 58 plate vehicle) had the front destination display set in the side destination setting (writing all tiny).

Further up the road, at the a459/a456 junction, a 68 plate 002 had broken down.

It's 30951. It's been like that for a very long time.

[Stu]

Possible confusion on 25A. The section towards Kidderminster is not a solid line but a split line which would indicate an occasional variation (evening & Sundays for example) rather than a regular hourly route.

Also the 25 & 25A are not listed on services which serve Merry Hill Centre.  Perhaps they should be listed within the same box under "also calling"

(split from Simon's Q&A thread)

The 25A doesn't commence until 20th April

[2206]

21234 on the 16:35 15A to Stourport today.
Recent transfer to Kidderminster from Preston. Ticket role hanging out the machine still has Preston Bus on it.

[Rachvince53]

(split from Simon's Q&A thread)

The 25A doesn't commence until 20th April

True but it IS shown on the map.