November 2025 Service Changes

[ellspurs]

Which involves going down Sladefield road to go through Washwood Heath...

The 26 used to run down there when it was Birmingham - Bromford Bridge. I can imagine that the parking has gotten worse in the last 20 years but as long as they don't schedule the buses to cross over around there that's probably one of the better choices.

[2206]

The 26 used to run down there when it was Birmingham - Bromford Bridge. I can imagine that the parking has gotten worse in the last 20 years but as long as they don't schedule the buses to cross over around there that's probably one of the better choices.

The 26 used Highfield Road.

Sladefield Road nice to hear it's getting a service. The only time service buses have used it in the last 20 years has been when the 94/95 have used it on diversion & the 14 in that long summer diversion last year.

[ellspurs]

The 26 used Highfield Road.

Sladefield Road nice to hear it's getting a service. The only time service buses have used it in the last 20 years has been when the 94/95 have used it on diversion & the 14 in that long summer diversion last year.

Ah, I was wondering why there was a roundabout at one end when I don't remember there being one.

A bus should get down there as you've said they've used it on diversion before. May have to police some of the double yellow line parking but other than that it should be good to go. If not they can just divert up Highfield Road instead.

[BBS]

Regarding discussion of the 41 (QEH to Heartlands) happening in the July changes topic:

New contract is out for tender, due to commence 2nd November 2025. This is what I have been told:

Current route between QE Hospital and Heartlands Hospital stays the same. Service extends from Heartlands across to Buckland End. This new section of route incorporates part of the former 93 service withdrawn in 2022.

Heartlands to buckland end as an extension, sounds interesting 

[ayoungbusman]

Regarding discussion of the 41 (QEH to Heartlands) happening in the July changes topic:

New contract is out for tender, due to commence 2nd November 2025. This is what I have been told:

Current route between QE Hospital and Heartlands Hospital stays the same. Service extends from Heartlands across to Buckland End. This new section of route incorporates part of the former 93 service withdrawn in 2022.

Does the frequency go up, as always thought QE Hospital - Acocks Green could move to and sustain a half hourly frequency?

As for Heartlands Hospital - Buckland End, it's an interesting proposal, although if the 93 was unsustainable, would this additional mileage, move the 41 into a similar position? Buckland End doesn't seem to be the biggest traffic objective in the network and wonder if an extension to Castle Vale via The Fort or even just to The Fort would be a viable alternative?

[Jack D]

Does the frequency go up, as always thought QE Hospital - Acocks Green could move to and sustain a half hourly frequency?

As for Heartlands Hospital - Buckland End, it's an interesting proposal, although if the 93 was unsustainable, would this additional mileage, move the 41 into a similar position? Buckland End doesn't seem to be the biggest traffic objective in the network and wonder if an extension to Castle Vale via The Fort or even just to The Fort would be a viable alternative?

you have a fort connection from Buckland end with the 96

[Stu]

Does the frequency go up, as always thought QE Hospital - Acocks Green could move to and sustain a half hourly frequency?

As for Heartlands Hospital - Buckland End, it's an interesting proposal, although if the 93 was unsustainable, would this additional mileage, move the 41 into a similar position? Buckland End doesn't seem to be the biggest traffic objective in the network and wonder if an extension to Castle Vale via The Fort or even just to The Fort would be a viable alternative?

It stays as an hourly service. Don't forget that much of the route between Edgbaston and Acocks Green is already mirrored by NX's 1 service, which has recently reduced to every 20 minutes to reflect passenger loadings. 

With regards to the extension to Buckland End, I am advised the following:

The 93 service was withdrawn as passenger numbers did not meet cost demand at the time, however it is worth noting that the service was unfortunately left in a terrible state, but with a change of operator, the service was showing encouraging signs of recovery and had grown by 30% in a 12-month period.

[2206]

It stays as an hourly service. Don't forget that much of the route between Edgbaston and Acocks Green is already mirrored by NX's 1 service, which has recently reduced to every 20 minutes to reflect passenger loadings.

With regards to the extension to Buckland End, I am advised the following:

The 93 replaced the Thandi 28A & 53 with a revised route & reduced PVR. It was only ever operated by Diamond Tividale.

Bucklands End does seem a slightly strange turning point, but then again they are going to build that new 300 home housing estate there, maybe something to do with that?

[Stu]

The 93 replaced the Thandi 28A & 53 with a revised route & reduced PVR. It was only ever operated by Diamond Tividale.

Bucklands End does seem a slightly strange turning point, but then again they are going to build that new 300 home housing estate there, maybe something to do with that?

That is correct, I am going to assume that the reference to "left in a state" refers to the previous 53 service operated by Thandi, rather than the 93 ran by Diamond. 

Turning at Buckland End allows for a 3 bus working, with a slightly padded-out timetable that should make it more reliable than the 41 is at present.

[BBS]

It stays as an hourly service. Don't forget that much of the route between Edgbaston and Acocks Green is already mirrored by NX's 1 service, which has recently reduced to every 20 minutes to reflect passenger loadings.

With regards to the extension to Buckland End, I am advised the following:

But with the 41 being a more "useful" option, what's the actual need of the 1? The 41 serves major key places, QE hospital, Moseley, Tyseley ( which the 1 doesn't ), Small Heath, Heartlands and soon to be Bucklands End via unknown. Although this sounds like much but does the 1 really need to happen if the 41 is more useful and is basically 70% of the same route 

[Mike K]

But with the 41 being a more "useful" option, what's the actual need of the 1? The 41 serves major key places, QE hospital, Moseley, Tyseley ( which the 1 doesn't ), Small Heath, Heartlands and soon to be Bucklands End via unknown. Although this sounds like much but does the 1 really need to happen if the 41 is more useful and is basically 70% of the same route

The fact that the commercially run 1, which has been around for over 100 years, is every 20 minutes and the tendered 41 is every hour suggests that the 1, by definition, is the more useful. 

[ayoungbusman]

you have a fort connection from Buckland end with the 96

I was referring from the other direction (Acocks Green towards Buckland End) but point is taken.