Electric Buses

[don]

I suspect this is the article actually being referred to!!

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c5y49p83qzno

Ah yes - I see now - you get first prize for psychic ability and I get nil points 😀 a shame it's a BBC article - they're generally pretty good! 

[Stu]

Ah yes - I see now - you get first prize for psychic ability and I get nil points 😀 a shame it's a BBC article - they're generally pretty good!

Both articles are written by the same LDRS journalist.

[Tony]

I genuinely don't know if it is any closer to coming to NX, But NX74 ZEB was taxed on the 14th April 2025

Vehicle Tax and MOT status results - Check if a vehicle is taxed and has an MOT - GOV.UK

[Mayfield]

Surely should be a 25 plate then

[Tony]

Surely should be a 25 plate then

It's a private plate

[Mayfield]

It's a private plate

Of course, never thought of that.

[fentonthebusman]

Any Black Country garages going to get any electrics this year? I have seen an article on Birmingham live saying that the next lot of electrics NX are due to have will be allocated across Solihull, Birmingham and the Black Country, but I am not sure at the moment. 
 many thanks

[Ronnoc]

Any Black Country garages going to get any electrics this year? I have seen an article on Birmingham live saying that the next lot of electrics NX are due to have will be allocated across Solihull, Birmingham and the Black Country, but I am not sure at the moment.
 many thanks

I believe most of the 130 electrics on order will be for Black Country garages, but the routes are uncertain. I would guess the WN1 and WB74 would be potential candidates for those new buses.

[hemmy]

I believe most of the 130 electrics on order will be for Black Country garages, but the routes are uncertain. I would guess the WN1 and WB74 would be potential candidates for those new buses.

74 over 82/87 or even 12/12A 13/13A is crazy

[2206]

74 over 82/87 or even 12/12A 13/13A is crazy

Why? What's the difference?
If WB get electrics they'll probably be used across all services I guess.

[hemmy]

Why? What's the difference?

i just think they're more high profile than the 74

[cardew]

I believe most of the 130 electrics on order will be for Black Country garages, but the routes are uncertain. I would guess the WN1 and WB74 would be potential candidates for those new buses.

As WB wasn't on the list of depots WMCA are looking to acquire for franchising, I would be very surprised if it was electrified.

[Jack]

i just think they're more high profile than the 74

I'm not sure how the 12's and 13's are more high profile than the 74, these services are all every 30 minutes without their combined frequencies. The 74, 80, 82/87 as well as the (4)5(1) have always been WB's core services.

[Rachvince53]

As WB wasn't on the list of depots WMCA are looking to acquire for franchising, I would be very surprised if it was electrified.

Yep. I think WMCA stated they would look for a new site or perhaps use Diamond's Tividale site. 

[Sh4318]

I'm not sure how the 12's and 13's are more high profile than the 74, these services are all every 30 minutes without their combined frequencies. The 74, 80, 82/87 as well as the (4)5(1) have always been WB's core services.

The 12s/13s have never had the highest priority. It's frequently allocated the oldest single decks in the fleet, more doubles are needed for the Portland Road section of the route, but other routes need deckers on every part of the route

The Soho Road and Dudley Road are particular busy and important corridors, the later got new buses 6 years ago and prior to that, refurbished (at the time) 8 year old buses were branded for it

The influx of platinums onto the 80 suggests that this route isn't too far behind the main two