Service changes June 2025

[Westy]

It's always the same, an unpopular decision gets made, then there'll be some petition that gets hundreds of signatures.

I recall a few years ago now, some change was made (or proposed) by NX in Old Hill, where some service was being changed or withdrawn due to 'lack of use'. There was some petition that got loads of signatures, then the service got reinstated. Then I'm sure about 12 months later it was finally removed/withdrawn due to 'lack of use'.

As the old saying goes, "use it or lose it". And it's always the same, the numbers who sign the petitions never match the passengers who use the service!

Well, as you're probably aware, we havent had a service along my road for a few years, but it kept getting chopped & changed every few months, so understandably people gave up!

They wouldn't think outside the box for starters.

If a Walsall to Cannock route doesnt work, then try something else!

I dont think Himley is in the same position though is it?

[2206]

If a Walsall to Cannock route doesnt work, then try something else!

I dont think Himley is in the same position though is it?

As far as I can see it's just late night journeys that are being curtailed short. It'll still have a service during the day. Maybe people in that area aren't using late evening services?

& from memory wasn't that like 1 or 2 stops in the Bloxwich area which are within a short walk of the 31/32/X51 which together run every few minutes throughout the day.

[Westy]

As far as I can see it's just late night journeys that are being curtailed short. It'll still have a service during the day. Maybe people in that area aren't using late evening services?

& from memory wasn't that like 1 or 2 stops in the Bloxwich area which are within a short walk of the 31/32/X51 which together run every few minutes throughout the day.

Yes, but until the 2010 review, we had 5 buses an hour on that section, plus an evening & Sunday service, then they started messing with it & the Bloxwich Road still had a decent service as well.

Another problem was, apart from the 951's at peaks, there was no NX service, so that's why everyone started going round to Bloxwich Road, so they could use their passes.

The Nbus 'revolution' came too late for our route.

[Rachvince53]

As far as I can see it's just late night journeys that are being curtailed short. It'll still have a service during the day. Maybe people in that area aren't using late evening services?

& from memory wasn't that like 1 or 2 stops in the Bloxwich area which are within a short walk of the 31/32/X51 which together run every few minutes throughout the day.

The Sunday daytime service (15A) currently also serves Himley but using Stourbridge Road (omitting Wombourne). Under the new timetable the nearest bus stop will be a good 15-20 minutes walk away on Bridgnorth Road or in Wall Heath. However as stated in other comments clearly not enough people are using the buses to/from the stops to be omitted. 

[BlackCountryBusSpotter]

Yep and I have no doubt people will moan again.

All over the news, they got it rectified and now it happened again I bet you half of them moaning on TV don't use the Bus but wanted to be seen as doing good or On TV

[Rachvince53]

All over the news, they got it rectified and now it happened again I bet you half of them moaning on TV don't use the Bus but wanted to be seen as doing good or On TV

True. There was also Phil Bateman who rarely missed an opportunity to appear on tv regarding buses.

[Tony]

True. There was also Phil Bateman who rarely missed an opportunity to appear on tv regarding buses.

Phil Bateman is a proper Labour councillor with his constituency and Public Transport at the heart of what he stands for. He also lives in his constituency in the West Midlands. The chances of a Mayor we have could learn a lot from Phil

[fentonthebusman]

what changes will be planned for the black country area, sandwell, walsall and dudley and wolves

[Jack]

what changes will be planned for the black country area, sandwell, walsall and dudley and wolves

The 48 and 48A are being chopped and changed.

[Steve3229vp]

what changes will be planned for the black country area, sandwell, walsall and dudley and wolves

15 will run Wombourne to Merry Hill
16 increased to every 20 minutes on Monday to Friday
48 increased to every 20 minutes
48A withdrawn

[Westy]

True. There was also Phil Bateman who rarely missed an opportunity to appear on tv regarding buses.

He used to do the Ed Doolan BBC WM show when they had phone in's.

I'm guessing now it's only football phone in's now!

[Westy]

https://buscapade.wordpress.com/2025/05/10/on-the-way-out-2025-7-5-25-part-one-the-20-20a-48a/

The latest Mark Fitchew blog.

[Rachvince53]

what changes will be planned for the black country area, sandwell, walsall and dudley and wolves

15 will run Wombourne to Merry Hill
16 increased to every 20 minutes on Monday to Friday
48 increased to every 20 minutes
48A withdrawn

In addition to the above:

16a Wolves to Wombourne (ambulance station) via Planks Lane, returning via Common Road. New service running late evenings and Sundays. 
16 rerouted in Wombourne to serve Common Road then Giggety Lane and Brickbridge Lane  
15 rerouted in Wombourne via Common Road and Giggety Lane then Planks Lane, terminating at Wombourne St Benedict's Church. Late eves and Sundays will run only between Merry Hill and Wall Heath. 
Himley will no longer have buses on late evenings and Sundays.

[Zander]

https://buscapade.wordpress.com/2025/05/10/on-the-way-out-2025-7-5-25-part-one-the-20-20a-48a/

The latest Mark Fitchew blog.

48 will still be serving Somerset Rd and Pritchatts Rd, it's from the university train station it does the 76 route, so turning right at the roundabout then left onto Mindelsohn Way and coming out of the QE the back way to then go straight over onto Quinton Rd to pick up the 76 route

[BK63 YWP]

Surprised the evening and Sunday 15s aren't turning around at blaze park.