Service Changes July 20th 2025

[keyy927]

I'd prefer that voice, not a fan of the new one.

oh 110% but if they're gonna update it they might as well go all the way - there's a stop on the 9 just before quinton that used to do it, don't know if it still does.

the new bus voice sounds like she hates her job, at least the last one was enthusiastic to tell you the next stop is longbridge technology park. 

[MasterPlan]

- I think the X20 is starting to get busier now, I haven't done it since day 2. I'll try and get another duty on it soon and compare it.

Are you sure it isn't just when there are gaps in service with delayed X21 & X22.

Also wonder if the stops on Weoley Park Road have been sorted yet. Hard to get people to use it if they don't know where to board the service lol.

[don]

Also wonder if the stops on Weoley Park Road have been sorted yet. Hard to get people to use it if they don't know where to board the service lol.

Just as a matter of interest, roughly how many bus stops do these extensive changes, which seem to be every three or four months, affect.

This is one aspect which would, most certainly be far better under a franchised system (I base this thought on the system in London where most of the routes I use are not subject to change and even still have the same service numbers - I know changes do happen however). The changes in South Birmingham are quite extensive and must affect a lot of journeys.

It must be an absolute nightmare keeping track of and implementing the bus stop changes resulting from this 'tinkering'. Also, from the Bearwood changes mentioned earlier, how much traffic is removed from Bearwood bus station, and this makes the new terminus of those routes far less accessible for interchange to Hagley Road services requiring quite a walk compared to Bearwood bus station?

[keyy927]

Are you sure it isn't just when there are gaps in service with delayed X21 & X22.

Also wonder if the stops on Weoley Park Road have been sorted yet. Hard to get people to use it if they don't know where to board the service lol.

the flags on weoley park road have been updated but they're still hard to see on the side with the shrubs, and there are still no flags on the other side at all. 

it was really awkward thinking the bus driver was gonna go straight past me.

there is also a case for it being slightly due to delayed X21/X22, but the service is still quite busy between longbridge and the university anyways, as people are shifting from the 46/A to the X20

[hemmy]

oh 110% but if they're gonna update it they might as well go all the way - there's a stop on the 9 just before quinton that used to do it, don't know if it still does.

the new bus voice sounds like she hates her job, at least the last one was enthusiastic to tell you the next stop is longbridge technology park.

man the old girl on the 16 sounded downright ecstatic to say that it goes to snow hill & the markets

[SO6597]

Also, from the Bearwood changes mentioned earlier, how much traffic is removed from Bearwood bus station, and this makes the new terminus of those routes far less accessible for interchange to Hagley Road services requiring quite a walk compared to Bearwood bus station?

It's a shame that the bus station will have lost 4 routes in a such short space of time. Not so long ago you could see a wide variety of buses using the facility and it was a good place to while away an hour or so. 

[LiamsTransport1]

there is also a case for it being slightly due to delayed X21/X22, but the service is still quite busy between longbridge and the university anyways, as people are shifting from the 46/A to the X20

I was on board this morning from Rednal into University, It was fairly empty however this one of 'short journeys' so it may of had something to do with it, Haven't seen what numbers are on from the services which start from Bromsgrove. 

[keyy927]

I was on board this morning from Rednal into University, It was fairly empty however this one of 'short journeys' so it may of had something to do with it, Haven't seen what numbers are on from the services which start from Bromsgrove.

might also be the times you catch it, i've never got it in the morning, usually 12-2pm ish, once at 5pm. the bromsgrove service is definitely busier for sure, and i'm guessing that that has something to do with the fact that changes in rubery and longbridge to birmingham are no longer necessary 

[Stu]

It must be an absolute nightmare keeping track of and implementing the bus stop changes resulting from this 'tinkering'. Also, from the Bearwood changes mentioned earlier, how much traffic is removed from Bearwood bus station, and this makes the new terminus of those routes far less accessible for interchange to Hagley Road services requiring quite a walk compared to Bearwood bus station?

It's three services that operate hourly during the daytime only.

I am going to assume that the decision to terminate the 20 and 21 services at Rutland Road is based on passenger boarding data, which probably suggests that not many people actually use those services from Bearwood bus station. 

For those who wish to interchange with Hagley Road services, there is always the option to hop on board the frequent 11A and 82 services. 

If I'm not mistaken, that leaves the 82 as the only bus service that actually uses the bus station. I'm now starting to wonder at what point Sandwell council decide to close it and sell off the land?

[JPC]

TfWM's latest registrations is saying the Tile Cross 17 service will extend to Chelmsley Wood and new variant 17A goes to Birmingham Airport.
In Coventry NXC will take over the evening and Sunday tender on service 7 to Brownshill Green from Stagecoach.

[2206]

TfWM's latest registrations is saying the Tile Cross 17 service will extend to Chelmsley Wood and new variant 17A goes to Birmingham Airport.

Is that in addition to the 97A etc?
Didnt expect a 5th service to go to the Airport?

The Airparks bus service goes to Tile Cross area too I think, wonder if there's a way it could be merged so people travelling there use the 17A to increase passenger usage?

[j789]

It's three services that operate hourly during the daytime only.

I am going to assume that the decision to terminate the 20 and 21 services at Rutland Road is based on passenger boarding data, which probably suggests that not many people actually use those services from Bearwood bus station.

For those who wish to interchange with Hagley Road services, there is always the option to hop on board the frequent 11A and 82 services.

If I'm not mistaken, that leaves the 82 as the only bus service that actually uses the bus station. I'm now starting to wonder at what point Sandwell council decide to close it and sell off the land?

Yes I'm surprised the bus station in Bearwood has survived this long already.

Changes would need to be made to the 82 possibly looping round the back streets of Bearwood then onto Hagley Road then left back onto Bearwood High Street (like I think the 49 does).

I wonder has a 'circular' service ever been thought of for the 82 where it would do its current route to Bearwood then just turn left from Bearwood and head up Hagley Road back to the City centre. It would offer up quite a few new links and save having to change buses. It would obviously require additional vehicles though in both directions so such an idea would probably work better with every second or even bus terminating as now in Bearwood and running a circular every 20-30 minutes.

Another possibility I guess is also extend it again to Harborne like the old 82a used to run up to the Duke of York pub.

[2206]

I wonder has a 'circular' service ever been thought of for the 82 where it would do its current route to Bearwood then just turn left from Bearwood and head up Hagley Road back to the City centre

Probably more than enough 9, X8, X10 & 126's already so no need to send even more buses that way.

Also the way it has worked for a long time is the 87 changes into a 82 at City as the WB relief point is in Oldbury

[BBS]

TfWM's latest registrations is saying the Tile Cross 17 service will extend to Chelmsley Wood and new variant 17A goes to Birmingham Airport.
In Coventry NXC will take over the evening and Sunday tender on service 7 to Brownshill Green from Stagecoach.

Does it include the NEC?

[BBS]

TfWM's latest registrations is saying the Tile Cross 17 service will extend to Chelmsley Wood and new variant 17A goes to Birmingham Airport.
In Coventry NXC will take over the evening and Sunday tender on service 7 to Brownshill Green from Stagecoach.

With the 17 now also being extended to the airport, I think it's time a more southern route also gets an extension to BHX. My best bet is on a 4, serving Stratford road, Acocks green, with an airport link. Maybe then follow the X2 up to wheatsheaf, and X1 way down to BHX.