Yardley Wood Garage

[CL]

Just passed a Birmingham-bound 4181 on the Aston Expressway displaying "A52 Birmingham City Centre"

[Tony]

Just passed a Birmingham-bound 4181 on the Aston Expressway displaying "A52 Birmingham City Centre"

Probably because it was operating the A52 from BC garage

[CL]

Probably because it was operating the A52 from BC garage

That'll make sense. I had thought the A52 was withdrawn. ???

For clarity, I'd posted here as I'm going off of the information on 4181's photo page

[Tony]

That'll make sense. I had thought the A52 was withdrawn. ???

For clarity, I'd posted here as I'm going off of the information on 4181's photo page

It's one of the  'in use reserve fleet vehicles' so will turn up where needed.

The A52 started again yesterday

[CL]

It's one of the  'in use reserve fleet vehicles' so will turn up where needed.

The A52 started again yesterday

Oh, ok. Thanks for the clarity

[2206]

It's one of the  'in use reserve fleet vehicles' so will turn up where needed.

The A52 started again yesterday

I've seen it on the 14 a few times over the last few weeks and it's been on the X70 at least once.

[2206]

4569 (I think it was that one) was at Yardley Swan unusually yesterday morning at 07:50, presumably heading towards Coventry for its MOT.
Unusual to see a YW bus at the Swan.

Was slightly amused yesterday by the sight of 4555 trundling along Yardley Wood Road on the 2, still "proud to carry the passengers of Wolverhampton"  :D

Is there any reason why this hasn't been removed yet?
They certainly seem to be in no rush to remove this of 4555 and 4556, they are still carring it today, 4556 was on the 76.

[Sh4318]

2236's displays didn't seem to be working early, on the 6 I assume?

[Stu]

Its been just over a month since I moved house and started regularly catching the 2 and 3 services to get home from work, and one thing I have found quite remarkable, especially during the evening peaks, is how these services actually seem to run on time and be fairly reliable, despite the traffic congestion.

While you tend to find the 4, 4A and 6 services regularly bunching and arriving together, give or take a couple of minutes the 2 and 3 do turn up at the advertised times at Auckland Road in Sparkbrook from city. Unless they are running 18 to 20 minutes late in which case I am not noticing!

So, a quick hats off to Yardley Wood garage, if I may!

[Steve3229vp]

Its been just over a month since I moved house and started regularly catching the 2 and 3 services to get home from work, and one thing I have found quite remarkable, especially during the evening peaks, is how these services actually seem to run on time and be fairly reliable, despite the traffic congestion.

While you tend to find the 4, 4A and 6 services regularly bunching and arriving together, give or take a couple of minutes the 2 and 3 do turn up at the advertised times at Auckland Road in Sparkbrook from city. Unless they are running 18 to 20 minutes late in which case I am not noticing!

So, a quick hats off to Yardley Wood garage, if I may!

Is it better with both routes using Stoney Lane ?

[Stu]

Is it better with both routes using Stoney Lane ?

I would say that passengers boarding and alighting along Stoney Lane have definitely benefitted from an increased frequency, yes. During the peaks, both the 2 and 3 are carrying good loads, and it can get a little uncomfortable when a single decker gets put on though.

[Justin Tyme]

There have been times when I regularly used the 3 and its predecessors and I found it quite quick too.

The 2 and 3 are fortunate in that once off the Stratford Road they use mainly uncongested streets, with no busy shopping areas, which clearly is a big help when it comes to timekeeping.

[Stu]

There have been times when I regularly used the 3 and its predecessors and I found it quite quick too.

The 2 and 3 are fortunate in that once off the Stratford Road they use mainly uncongested streets, with no busy shopping areas, which clearly is a big help when it comes to timekeeping.

I agree about the Stratford Road - out of city, it is time-consuming for the bus to wait for an opportunity to turn right onto Highgate Road, and likewise towards city, it can get frustrating coming from Stoney Lane onto Highgate Road and then to turn left onto Stratford Road. The left-turn traffic lights seem to stay on red for ages, and of course it doesn't help when selfish motorists block the box-junction either. Some bus priority measures at this junction wouldn't go amiss.

But then yes, barring a bit of congestion along Stoney Lane, once onto Yardley Wood Road both routes fly along with relative ease. The journey home in the evening is actually much quicker than the journey to work in the morning.

The only other pinch-point along that route that I would suggest the council look at is in Billesley, the row of shops after the Brook Lane island, there must be scope to remove some pavement and build parking bays to widen the road slightly. It gets tricky to navigate through there when there is a queue of traffic heading towards Brook Lane, as southbound traffic gets blocked by the parked cars.

[2206]

https://nxbus.co.uk/west-midlands/news/yardley-wood-bus-garages-80th-birthday-
There's a heritage circular service operating on the day - via Billesley, Yardley Wood Train Station and Maypole.

[DJ]

Does anyone here from NX know if the '50% off fares when presenting a valid National Express West Midlands travel card, daysaver or mTicket.' offer would be valid if I have a student term Network pass?