Service Changes July 20th 2025

[SO6597]

Fitting that the announcement of the 46/A withdrawal is mired in confusion - much like the chequered history of the route itself. A curious episode from start to finish!

[Mike K]

Did the 61 and 27 not swap routes in this area previously?

It's quite the change for some roads going from a service direct to the city every 10/12 minutes to a service to Bournville and Kings Heath every 30 minutes.

[GoldenSquid]

As a Bristol road driver, I'm happy for the 61 changes.

[the trainbasher]

Couple of updates have been added to the TfWM Service Changes page:
https://www.tfwm.org.uk/plan-your-journey/ways-to-travel/buses-in-the-west-midlands/upcoming-bus-service-changes/

Looks like the 46/46A and 169 services are to be withdrawn.

For the 46/46A it just states at present:
"From 20th July, these services will be withdrawn and replaced by services operating a revised route and/or timetable."

It would appear that the 48 is going to be extended further, from Northfield to Frankley, as a result of the 46/46A withdrawal.

The 61 service is also being revised:
"From 20th July, this service will operate a revised route and timetable. It will no longer serve Egghill Lane, Borrowdale Road/Norrington Road, Trescott Road, or Hoggs Lane and instead operate directly via Frankley Beeches Road.

This withdrawn section of the route will now be covered by the revised Service 27"

Service 169:
"From 20th July, this service will be withdrawn and replaced by services operating a revised route and/or timetable."

These look like theyve disappeared from the website

[BBS]

With the 46,46A & 169 destined to be withdrawn, what does this leave the 41 and A9 at? New operator?
Edit: the 41 appears to be admin cancelled alongside the A9

[BBS]

Must be making good money for tfwm

Also forgot the 41 that goes QE to Heartlands 

[Stu]

These look like theyve disappeared from the website

I'm going to assume that while updating that page, someone at TfWM mistakenly published the update before it was ready.

With the 46,46A & 169 destined to be withdrawn, what does this leave the 41 and A9 at? New operator?

I guess we'll have to wait and see for now, undoubtedly there are further changes expected as Stagecoach had all those tendered contracts as a package.

[BBS]

I'm going to assume that while updating that page, someone at TfWM mistakenly published the update before it was ready.
I guess we'll have to wait and see for now, undoubtedly there are further changes expected as Stagecoach had all those tendered contracts as a package.

As checked, the 41 and A9 are admin cancelled too

[Stu]

As checked, the 41 and A9 are admin cancelled too

All bus routes operating wholly within the West Midlands area were Admin Cancelled in 2023 when TfWM took over the role as registration authority.

[Ingleboro261F]

With the 46,46A & 169 destined to be withdrawn, what does this leave the 41 and A9 at? New operator?
Edit: the 41 appears to be admin cancelled alongside the A9

What does admin cancelled mean?

[CJS47]

13 Birmingham to Oldbury, axed
13A Birmingham to Blackheath, to become 13 with change of route between Hurst Road and Bleakhouse Road, every 20 minutes 
12 Birmingham to Dudley, every 20 minutes 
12A axed

[keyy927]

Couple of updates have been added to the TfWM Service Changes page:
https://www.tfwm.org.uk/plan-your-journey/ways-to-travel/buses-in-the-west-midlands/upcoming-bus-service-changes/

Looks like the 46/46A and 169 services are to be withdrawn.

For the 46/46A it just states at present:
"From 20th July, these services will be withdrawn and replaced by services operating a revised route and/or timetable."

It would appear that the 48 is going to be extended further, from Northfield to Frankley, as a result of the 46/46A withdrawal.

The 61 service is also being revised:
"From 20th July, this service will operate a revised route and timetable. It will no longer serve Egghill Lane, Borrowdale Road/Norrington Road, Trescott Road, or Hoggs Lane and instead operate directly via Frankley Beeches Road.

This withdrawn section of the route will now be covered by the revised Service 27"

Service 169:
"From 20th July, this service will be withdrawn and replaced by services operating a revised route and/or timetable."

i wonder if the "revised timetable" 46/46A is the X20 increasing to every 20 minutes to account between bell hill and the QE, and then to fit in with the X21/X22. and then the 48 is to go to hawkesley maybe?? i can't see why they would extend the 48 to frankley when there's already a number of routes between northfield and frankley.

wonder if they'll also send the X20 in to weoley castle square to make it the fastest route from WC to the city centre as it goes straight to the QE instead of the long route that the X21 does.

[Tony]

i wonder if the "revised timetable" 46/46A is the X20 increasing to every 20 minutes to account between bell hill and the QE, and then to fit in with the X21/X22. and then the 48 is to go to hawkesley maybe?? i can't see why they would extend the 48 to frankley when there's already a number of routes between northfield and frankley.

wonder if they'll also send the X20 in to weoley castle square to make it the fastest route from WC to the city centre as it goes straight to the QE instead of the long route that the X21 does.

The X20 isn't being changed and Stu has posted the details off the TfWM page, so wondering why you're suggesting he has the 48 incorrect

[knowone]

13 Birmingham to Oldbury, axed
13A Birmingham to Blackheath, to become 13 with change of route between Hurst Road and Bleakhouse Road, every 20 minutes
12 Birmingham to Dudley, every 20 minutes
12A axed

Where can i find out more of this 

[Stu]

Where can i find out more of this

On the TfWM website, once details have been officially confirmed.