Rout 297.

[s94]

So all the new timetables are finally now available. Is it me or are NXWM and WMSNT operating a similar journey around 1900 arriving 1929 at Merry Hill from Halesowen on M-F?

But do both then continue to Gornal/Stickley as that might be when the tender kicks in

Just checked again and the last NX bus from Halesowen is 1855 arriving Merry Hill 1929 but continues to Pensnett Trading Estate arr 1958.
WMSNT first journey leaves Halesowen at 1900, arriving Merry Hill at 1929.

How does that work!!?! Lol.

[the trainbasher]

So all the new timetables are finally now available. Is it me or are NXWM and WMSNT operating a similar journey around 1900 arriving 1929 at Merry Hill from Halesowen on M-F?

But do both then continue to Gornal/Stickley as that might be when the tender kicks in

Just checked again and the last NX bus from Halesowen is 1855 arriving Merry Hill 1929 but continues to Pensnett Trading Estate arr 1958.
WMSNT first journey leaves Halesowen at 1900, arriving Merry Hill at 1929.

How does that work!!?! Lol.

I think WMSNT may try to use a single vehicle on their runs

[s94]

So all the new timetables are finally now available. Is it me or are NXWM and WMSNT operating a similar journey around 1900 arriving 1929 at Merry Hill from Halesowen on M-F?

But do both then continue to Gornal/Stickley as that might be when the tender kicks in

Just checked again and the last NX bus from Halesowen is 1855 arriving Merry Hill 1929 but continues to Pensnett Trading Estate arr 1958.
WMSNT first journey leaves Halesowen at 1900, arriving Merry Hill at 1929.

How does that work!!?! Lol.

I think WMSNT may try to use a single vehicle on their runs

Probably, but a) why are there 2 buses at this time and b) How can WMSNT leave 5 minutes later than NXWM and arrive at the same time? Is there an error somewhere or is this genuinely happening? Lol.

[nitromatt1]

So all the new timetables are finally now available. Is it me or are NXWM and WMSNT operating a similar journey around 1900 arriving 1929 at Merry Hill from Halesowen on M-F?

But do both then continue to Gornal/Stickley as that might be when the tender kicks in

Just checked again and the last NX bus from Halesowen is 1855 arriving Merry Hill 1929 but continues to Pensnett Trading Estate arr 1958.
WMSNT first journey leaves Halesowen at 1900, arriving Merry Hill at 1929.

How does that work!!?! Lol.

I think WMSNT may try to use a single vehicle on their runs

Probably, but a) why are there 2 buses at this time and b) How can WMSNT leave 5 minutes later than NXWM and arrive at the same time? Is there an error somewhere or is this genuinely happening? Lol.

Well if this is correct and WMSNT will run 5 minutes behind the NXWM 297 then surely they'll have a clearer run (NXWM taken all the passengers) and will have a quicker journey, catching the NXWM 297 up by Merry Hill

[s94]

True but the question still remains in what is the point of this? Seems a wasted journey and money.

[Stuharris 6360]

True but the question still remains in what is the point of this? Seems a wasted journey and money.

Well the NE journey is to get it to garage, and the WMSNT journey is to get it on the route.

Similar happens on the 99 from Halesowen,

VIP run the first of their evening journey's at 1920 whilst NE run a journey at 19:25.

[s94]

So was there an NX Bus and a WMSNT bus arriving at Merry Hill/left Halesowen at pretty much the same time today?

This is the first time WMSNT has ventured over here isnt it? What bus are they using?

[the trainbasher]

Optare solo fleet number 105. 1658  was the NXWM which we seemed to keep playing leap frog with

[s94]

Who got to Merry Hill first and who had the most passengers? haha

[s94]

Also that must have been the first Optare Solo to have reached Merry Hill in service for a long time? Cant remember when the last Optare Solo travelled around these parts?

[the trainbasher]

I know in Halesowen WMSNT was on stand first with 1658 parked next to it.

It was quite close for arrivals as 105 (which I was on along with nitromatt) did a nice overtake by the last island (by Frankie and Bennys) before merry hill bus station

[the trainbasher]

the diamond 24 and 4M has solos sometimes

[s94]

the diamond 24 and 4M has solos sometimes

Ahh okay :)

[Trident 4609]

Also that must have been the first Optare Solo to have reached Merry Hill in service for a long time? Cant remember when the last Optare Solo travelled around these parts?

Some of the Arriva Midlands routes to Merry Hill get Solos in place of MPD's

[nitromatt1]

Yes as trainbasher said it's a nippy 10-plate Optare Solo. Driver took a wrong turning at one point and had to do a 3-pointer lol

Will be interesting to see what's on there tomorrow