North Birmingham and Sutton Coldfield Review

[Lukeee]

With the 934 now ran by Walsall, it seems that the OmniCitys are now sticking to the 907, both today and yesterday the majority of them were on there

That's good, the 907 deserves good buses, in my opinion

Agreed, the 907 could do with some good buses (so lets get the omnicitys of there and put the 07 plate Enviros on there)  ;)

[Kevin]

With the 934 now ran by Walsall, it seems that the OmniCitys are now sticking to the 907, both today and yesterday the majority of them were on there

That's good, the 907 deserves good buses, in my opinion

Agreed, the 907 could do with some good buses (so lets get the omnicitys of there and put the 07 plate Enviros on there)  ;)

Yes, have noticed the omnicities on the 907, although granted this afternoon I also saw an omnilink which seemed a little unusual

[John]

Yes, have noticed the omnicities on the 907, although granted this afternoon I also saw an omnilink which seemed a little unusual

The OmniLinks appear more at peak times, but one might sneak onto all day workings quite often

[Sh4318]

I think, if new buses arrive for the Sutton Lines, 4698, 4718-4732 to WB for the 127-9, I wish  ::)

[John]

I think, if new buses arrive for the Sutton Lines, 4698, 4718-4732 to WB for the 127-9, I wish  ::)

I wonder if Pensnett might gain some of these if they ever leave Perry Barr as what was rumoured a while back

[winston]

I think, if new buses arrive for the Sutton Lines, 4698, 4718-4732 to WB for the 127-9, I wish  ::)

I wonder if Pensnett might gain some of these if they ever leave Perry Barr as what was rumoured a while back

I think PB may well retain the remaining 05/57 Enviro if they are replaced on the Sutton Lines and cascade within, they could be re-furbished for upgrading the 94 or 16.

Other than the two 55 plate seed vehicles 4697 & 4698, PB's next newest buses after the first batch of Enviros are the 2003 03/53 plate Geminis which are now 10 years old

I'd love to see them transfer to PE, but just can't see it happening at present, the Birmingham garages with older double deckers will be priority for now

[The Real 4778]

Hands off our toothpaste!

[Sh4318]

I think, if new buses arrive for the Sutton Lines, 4698, 4718-4732 to WB for the 127-9, I wish  ::)

I wonder if Pensnett might gain some of these if they ever leave Perry Barr as what was rumoured a while back

I think PB may well retain the remaining 05/57 Enviro if they are replaced on the Sutton Lines and cascade within, they could be re-furbished for upgrading the 94 or 16.

Other than the two 55 plate seed vehicles 4697 & 4698, PB's next newest buses after the first batch of Enviros are the 2003 03/53 plate Geminis which are now 10 years old

I'd love to see them transfer to PE, but just can't see it happening at present, the Birmingham garages with older double deckers will be priority for now

Either that or PB Geminis will be cascaded to WB, withdrawing further Mercs and/or B6LEs. This would also mean 4698, 4718-4732 would have to be used on standard double decker PB routes, I'm unaware whether there are enough toothpaste Enviros for both the 16 & 94, although upgrade these routes would be a good idea. The toothpaste Enviros at WB was simply a fantasy, but surely we are due new deckers next year.

[winston]

I think, if new buses arrive for the Sutton Lines, 4698, 4718-4732 to WB for the 127-9, I wish  ::)

I wonder if Pensnett might gain some of these if they ever leave Perry Barr as what was rumoured a while back

I think PB may well retain the remaining 05/57 Enviro if they are replaced on the Sutton Lines and cascade within, they could be re-furbished for upgrading the 94 or 16.

Other than the two 55 plate seed vehicles 4697 & 4698, PB's next newest buses after the first batch of Enviros are the 2003 03/53 plate Geminis which are now 10 years old

I'd love to see them transfer to PE, but just can't see it happening at present, the Birmingham garages with older double deckers will be priority for now

Either that or PB Geminis will be cascaded to WB, withdrawing further Mercs and/or B6LEs. This would also mean 4698, 4718-4732 would have to be used on standard double decker PB routes, I'm unaware whether there are enough toothpaste Enviros for both the 16 & 94, although upgrade these routes would be a good idea. The toothpaste Enviros at WB was simply a fantasy, but surely we are due new deckers next year.

Problem with that is, if PB were to loose more of its remaining 30 x 03/53 plate Gemini, there would be quite a big gap in the ages of its double decker fleet, other than the two 55 plate seed vehicles (4697 & 4698) a few 03/53 plate Gemini that stay the next batch is the 50 x 51/02 plate ALX400's. But if so of those were to go WB, they would then have a large batch of those which are now 11/12 years old.

I doubt 15 toothpaste Enviros would convert both the 16 & 94, it would be one or the other.

I think NXWM need to consider distributing some of the larger batches of older buses around the various garages a bit more evenly, we currently have as follows:

48 x Mercs R-V reg (14/15 years old) @ PE representing 42% of total allocation
58 x Volvo B7TL/Presidents V/W-reg (13/14 years old) @ AG representing 40.5% of total allocation
65 x Trident/ALX400 Y-reg (12 years old) @ BC representing 30% of total allocation
50 x Volvo/ALX400 51/02-reg (11/12 years old) @ PB representing 27% of total allocation
56 x Trident/ALX400 51/02/52-reg (10/11 years old) @ YW representing 41% of total allocation
75 x Trident/Transbus ALX400 53/04/54-reg (9/10years old) @ WN representing 37% of total allocation

Large proportions of those garage allocations will all be of the same age, reliability & breakdowns will be more apparent and large quantities will need replacing in over a short period of time. As the issue mainly affects the decker fleet, I assume the problem has been exaggerated by the B'Ham City Centre Emission zone requirements & the lack of new double deck deliveries in quantity during 2005 / 06 / 08 / 09 & 2010. Obviously in there were small qunatities in 2005, 2006, 2008 & 2009

[Gareth]

I'm not sure that the LEZ would have anything to do with it though, as there are less than 120 double deckers affected, it was only really BC that had to loose theirs, as all of their routes go into Birmingham City Centre. I think the next two years will be very interesting with vehicle movements and orders. Especially with Volvo and ADL having new or face lifted models coming out.

[Sh4318]

What do people think of the 934 & 936?

[winston]

What do people think of the 934 & 936?

Have the loadings on Diamonds 56 been being affected by NXWM's new 936 service?

[Sh4318]

What do people think of the 934 & 936?

Have the loadings on Diamonds 56 been being affected by NXWM's new 936 service?

Not from what I've seen. One dart in Kingstanding running the 56 with standing patronage. This was Monday however, so people are probably still getting used to the 936

[winston]

What do people think of the 934 & 936?

Have the loadings on Diamonds 56 been being affected by NXWM's new 936 service?

Not from what I've seen. One dart in Kingstanding running the 56 with standing patronage. This was Monday however, so people are probably still getting used to the 936

Probably best to give it until the end of June at least to guage its impact. Was the Diamond Dart an MPD  ;D

[Sh4318]

Street parties taking place even as I post to welcome the introduction of the changes resulting from the North Birmingham and Sutton Coldfield Review aka The Pheasey Review. Actually the majority of people in North Birmingham and Sutton Coldfield are totally underwhelmed by the changes and are struggling to identify the changes and how they will improve their travel experience! This has to be the weakest review undertaken to date.

have to agree that it has been a very weak review, are we to take it that the people of North Birmingham & Sutton Coldfield are so happy with there bus services, they didn't want any changes?

Surely there are more changes to come? The only benefitted areas are Kingstanding & Pheasey.