97 finally extended?

[Kevin]

Problem with the 97 branding, sit at the front upstairs and you have to stuggle to see out of the window

[Dylan4579]

Does anyone know about the night loadings?

[dayvid]

seen one pass me going toward the city centre after 2am with 7 passengers onboard.

[Stu]

seen one pass me going toward the city centre after 2am with 7 passengers onboard.

At least some people are using it! Just out of curiosity, was it a single or double-deck bus they use?

[Steveminor]

7 passengers is not enough of a load to be profitable I wouldn't have thought, depends how much the Airport are contributing to the route financially.

[BCMobile]

seen one pass me going toward the city centre after 2am with 7 passengers onboard.

At least some people are using it! Just out of curiosity, was it a single or double-deck bus they use?

Its only deckers mate.

[dayvid]

seen one pass me going toward the city centre after 2am with 7 passengers onboard.

At least some people are using it! Just out of curiosity, was it a single or double-deck bus they use?

Its only deckers mate.

Not Just deckers buddy as there has been a few night time single decker 97's.

[JB93]

I can see the 97 stop from my kitchen and all the ones I've seen throughout the middle of the night have been double deckers like normal.
And if it's any consolation, when I temporarily move back home next month I'll be using it at about 3am to get home from work :')

[BCMobile]

seen one pass me going toward the city centre after 2am with 7 passengers onboard.

At least some people are using it! Just out of curiosity, was it a single or double-deck bus they use?

Its only deckers mate.

Not Just deckers buddy as there has been a few night time single decker 97's.

Shouldn't of been as the night allocation is from the following notice:

4447
4448
4449
4455
4456
4461
4460
4462
4463
4464
4468
4469
4470
4471
4472
4457
4458
4459
4465
4466
4467
4473
4474

That's the full list of all 97 branded vehicles, of which 2 will be allocated of a Twilight. Nice to see a single of a night though.

[Typhoon2000]

I would have thought that it would be more be more prudent to use ADL Enviro200s or the Wright/Volvo Eclipse buses on the night times, except for Friday and Saturday nights.

I really do hope this works out but NXWM (rather typically) seem to have a habit of not advertising a new service properly and indeed, looking at the route branding, much is made about the NEC/Airport extension but very little shouting out about the fact that this is 24hrs. That's madness and I can see the service being withdrawn in 8 weeks time.

A pity, as I was considering moving out to Heartlands because of this service, being a shift worker and finishing early morning without the need to drive back (knackered) would be a dream. There is hardly aby prominent advertsding along the bus route itself... typical and terrible.  >:(

[Tony]

I would have thought that it would be more be more prudent to use ADL Enviro200s or the Wright/Volvo Eclipse buses on the night times, except for Friday and Saturday nights.

I really do hope this works out but NXWM (rather typically) seem to have a habit of not advertising a new service properly and indeed, looking at the route branding, much is made about the NEC/Airport extension but very little shouting out about the fact that this is 24hrs. That's madness and I can see the service being withdrawn in 8 weeks time.

A pity, as I was considering moving out to Heartlands because of this service, being a shift worker and finishing early morning without the need to drive back (knackered) would be a dream. There is hardly aby prominent advertsding along the bus route itself... typical and terrible.  >:(

'Hardly any prominent advertising' - what is the only thing on the front of the bus, a big blue sticker saying 24 hour, another on the first nearside window. Have a look further up the thread and you will see that the 24 hour service is sponsored for 3 years so not likely to be cancelled in 8 weeks!

[Isle of Stroma]

I wonder what the farce was yesterday afternoon. I just missed a pair at the Pool Way @ 16:46 outbound. Walked home with my Daughter - not a single 97 of any variety showed up for over 30 minutes.

I'm assuming something had kicked off, couldn't possibly be due to NXWM being sole operator on the route these days.......

[bwsau cymru]

I would have thought that it would be more be more prudent to use ADL Enviro200s or the Wright/Volvo Eclipse buses on the night times, except for Friday and Saturday nights.

I really do hope this works out but NXWM (rather typically) seem to have a habit of not advertising a new service properly and indeed, looking at the route branding, much is made about the NEC/Airport extension but very little shouting out about the fact that this is 24hrs. That's madness and I can see the service being withdrawn in 8 weeks time.

A pity, as I was considering moving out to Heartlands because of this service, being a shift worker and finishing early morning without the need to drive back (knackered) would be a dream. There is hardly aby prominent advertsding along the bus route itself... typical and terrible.  >:(

There is no chance of it being withdrawn its either a 3 or 5 year contract is is part of a series of investment for better buses for birmingham airport connecting people to jobs

[bwsau cymru]

I would also think it would make more sense to use a small bus at nigut enviro 200 ideal with its smaller engine tyres etc would have lower running costs. And the service isnt going to be a kassive boom of night travellers it will build gradually but I think to enhance its growth we need a network of night routes along key corridors to boost growth and really give people the option of being able to use the bus at anytime

[dayvid]

I can see the 97 stop from my kitchen and all the ones I've seen throughout the middle of the night have been double deckers like normal.
And if it's any consolation, when I temporarily move back home next month I'll be using it at about 3am to get home from work :')

Well maybe the volvo single decker displaying 97 on the front driving through the wood was really just a phantom bus in disguise?