Service Changes July 20th 2025

[TGZac]

I apologise for asking, but what is happening with the 55? (other than not going to the QE interchange)

Using New Street then Arden Road in Frankley, passing the Frankley shops, to and from Great Park rather than using Rubery Lane

[keyy927]

Very disappointing that the QE interchange is losing yet another route in the 55.... Feel for anyone who uses it access the main entrance of QE are now in for a long walk.

i wonder if they could instate a busway for it that avoids the main entrance circle whilst still stopping outside of the QE and then straight through to university station? keeps the links and avoids getting assblasted by traffic

[keyy927]

As far as I've been told it wasn't meant to be re-instated, which is why it's not out of use again. Although there are still next stop announcements for it.

ah okay, bit of bad planning there - always did find it weird that it had the X20 stopping there but not the 63. i wonder how it got to the point of "not meant to be reinstated" but a printed flag and timetable were put in place for it 

[Stu]

I apologise for asking, but what is happening with the 55? (other than not going to the QE interchange)

Using New Street then Arden Road in Frankley, passing the Frankley shops, to and from Great Park rather than using Rubery Lane

Also amended in Harborne, goes direct along Quinton Road and Metchley Lane, no longer serves Grove Lane and Harborne Park Road.

https://wmbu.org.uk/2025/06/service-changes-from-20th-july-2025/

[GoldenSquid]

ah okay, bit of bad planning there - always did find it weird that it had the X20 stopping there but not the 63

I mean for a short period a few months (like a week or so) the 63 wasn't meant to stop outside of the college towards Frankley. as they removed that stop from our system and the bus stop flags, due to confusion between NX and TfWM

[Mike K]

So from 20th July is it just the 19, 76 and the 41 serving the QE Hospital main entrance? For one of the largest hospitals in the UK that's an absolute joke.

If there's one place that needs public transport to its door it's a major hospital.

Issues with cars and taxis blocking bus access have been largely alleviated with the outside lane being a bus lane so it's a surprise to see services being diverted away.

[Stu]

So from 20th July is it just the 19, 76 and the 41 serving the QE Hospital main entrance? For one of the largest hospitals in the UK that's an absolute joke.

If there's one place that needs public transport to its door it's a major hospital.

Issues with cars and taxis blocking bus access have been largely alleviated with the outside lane being a bus lane so it's a surprise to see services being diverted away.

I'm pretty sure that if there were a large number of passengers using buses to get to/from the QEH, then services wouldn't be being rerouted away.

In my opinion, the whole road layout within the hospital grounds was badly planned, and doesn't allow for efficient bus service operation, apart from the few services that terminate and layover there. 

The biggest irony is the number of complaints from locals about staff parking on local roads rather than using the on-site car parks. You have to wonder why more wasn't done to encourage staff to travel to work by bus. 

[Mike K]

I'm pretty sure that if there were a large number of passengers using buses to get to/from the QEH, then services wouldn't be being rerouted away.

In my opinion, the whole road layout within the hospital grounds was badly planned, and doesn't allow for efficient bus service operation, apart from the few services that terminate and layover there.

The biggest irony is the number of complaints from locals about staff parking on local roads rather than using the on-site car parks. You have to wonder why more wasn't done to encourage staff to travel to work by bus.

55 aside, my thoughts are that it's more likely for operational efficiency reasons rather than low passenger numbers using buses to the QE main entrance as there are still plenty of services serving the hospital, just not the main entrance stops. 

I agree on the road layout though, badly thought out from the outset. Same goes for neighbouring Selly Oak Retail Park. 

[BBS]

So from 20th July is it just the 19, 76 and the 41 serving the QE Hospital main entrance? For one of the largest hospitals in the UK that's an absolute joke.

If there's one place that needs public transport to its door it's a major hospital.

Issues with cars and taxis blocking bus access have been largely alleviated with the outside lane being a bus lane so it's a surprise to see services being diverted away.

There is a variation with the 41 although it's not publically disclosed what or where the variation is, could be it doesn't stop outside the QE, or it's the TFWM survey Acocks Green change to use the old 36 way 

[Stu]

There is a variation with the 41 although it's not publically disclosed what or where the variation is, could be it doesn't stop outside the QE, or it's the TFWM survey Acocks Green change to use the old 36 way

Where have you seen this variation listed for the Stagecoach 41?

The only 41 listed on the 19th June regsitrations notice is for the Walsall-Willenhall service.

Don't forget, 'variation' could just be a timetable adjustment.

[GoldenSquid]

There is a variation with the 41 although it's not publically disclosed what or where the variation is, could be it doesn't stop outside the QE, or it's the TFWM survey Acocks Green change to use the old 36 way

QE - Heartlands staying as it is. Route may be extending heartlands side.

[2206]

QE - Heartlands staying as it is. Route may be extending heartlands side.

Where would it extend too? Up Belchers Lane, Sladefield Road & to the Fox & Goose maybe?
Or to cover some of the 73 roads - Yardley Green Road, Newbridge Road, Heybarnes Road to Small Heath Asda?

[BBS]

Where would it extend too? Up Belchers Lane, Sladefield Road & to the Fox & Goose maybe?
Or to cover some of the 73 roads - Yardley Green Road, Newbridge Road, Heybarnes Road to Small Heath Asda?

Doesn't it already go near small heath Asda?

[2206]

Doesn't it already go near small heath Asda?

If it did that it'd be kind of going back on itself I guess.
Kings Road is fairly close but not quite to the door still.

[Stu]

QE - Heartlands staying as it is. Route may be extending heartlands side.

Not until November.