Questions for the NXWM Operations Director

[NX OD]

Since the introduction of the link  Bromford - Chelmsley Wood by service 72, is this working well, to expectations (or even past expectations) and if so are their any plans to further develop and enhance this corridor and the 71/72 routes in general?

Hi,

We are very happy with it.  We have some plans for 71/72 but I am not able to say what these are at present. 

[NX OD]

Hi Simon,

was out & about today and noticed a poster on a bus talking about timetable alterations for the 1st September 2013.

This poster seemed to be generic for the whole of the Birmingham & Black Country. My question is , with duplicated route numbers through out the West Midlands now, if the poster says a timetable change for the 27 for example, which 27 does it mean, Dudley to Wolverhampton or Hawksley to The Maypole?

I know that it means Hawksley to The Maypole, but am sure it will confuse some people.

Stuart

Did the poster have route numbers on it then?

Yes Simon, just a list of route numbers which change timetable on 01/09/13, plus the number 1 changing terminus in Birmingham.

OK thanks.  I have seen it now as well.

I will talk to the people who produce it about duplicated route numbers.

[NX OD]

Hi Simon,

Would it be possible for the running boards of various routes to be published to us? As it would really help (and interest) me to know which running boards on each route do which departures, which stay on to the evening buses, etc.

For example, the 140/241 gets confusing at peak-time as some running boards don't interwork at Dudley.

Hi,

I will give this some consideration.

[NX OD]

Hi Simon.

Can I ask where the 61/63 timetable is on the NXWM website? It was advertised on the 1st Sept. changes but now there's no sign of the timetable or the BR changes.

And also what's all this hullabaloo with the 29/A?

And that's for Simon so please don't reply if you're not the OD.

Regards

LS

Hi,

I'm not sure where that has gone!  I have asked Marketing to put it on the website.  Thanks for spotting that.

I am not sure what you are referring to about the 29/A?

[NX OD]

Hello again Simon thanks for your reply to my previous questions.

Here a few on day to day experiences when using your buses

1)  When waiting to catch a NXWM bus I reasonably expect the driver to stop where the bus stop flag is when the road is clear.
Curiously in Birmingham this is often at the trailing end of bus shelters making it harder for the passengers to be seen by the driver of the approaching bus and also posing a safety hazard when passengers run between the shelter and  the bus as it moves off with the driver looking in their wing mirror.
The flags are sometimes at the opposite end from the "hole" in the shelter and also in certain cases there are railings under the flag making it physically impossible to board the bus from the shelter.
What is the logic of the layout of the flag being at the trailing end and do you appreciate the inherent safety and visibility issues mentioned above. Are your staff trained to deal with these anomalies.

2) Boarding a NXWM bus has the same allure of many Liverpool off licences as the member of staff is behind a solid screen and in NXWMs case advised you will be prosecuted if you assault the driver. Is this "hard" notice really effective and what is the logic of solid assault screens almost unique to NXWM which makes communication much harder.

3) Have you contemplated introducing cross city services through Central Birmingham giving passengers direct access to and from a wider range of locations. High frequency cross city services work perfectly well in busy places such as Edinburgh.

and finally

4) What benefits do you think could be had by Managers who drive to work undertaking the final part of their journey on NXWM services.
E.G. A manager working at Bordesley could park their car in Nechells, catch the Inner Circle to work and return at night to retrieve it.

JoNi

Hi,

Thanks for the questions.

1. The bus stop flags, shelters and other street furniture are all designed, supplied and fitted by Centro.  We have some input if we feel that something is in the wrong place or badly designed but not much.  Drivers are trained to stop at the safest place for passengers whether this be at the 'hole' or at the far end of the shelter.  It does not necessarily matter where the flag is.

A good place to report stops you think have problems with the layout is: http://www.networkwestmidlands.com/comments/fixit.aspx

2. I woudn't say that assault screens are unique to us as I can think of many other places where they are in place such as London, Reading and Nottingham.  The assault screen is a vital piece of driver protection and is there to stop a driver being hurt.  Unfortunately society has a very small number of people who want to cause damage and harm people and that includes bus drivers.  As an employer we have a duty of care to our employees and we are clear in our desire to see this duty through.

3. We haven't really considered this although the city centre loops are in some ways a bit like this.

4. There would be some benefits to this and some managers do this.  I will be doing this a bit tomorrow when I am moving between a few sites through the day.

[NX OD]

Hey again Simon, one more question from me, seeing as Christmas is only 4 months away now, will there be any extra buses this Boxing Day or even a full sunday service(maybe finishing at 8pm or something), or is it still in the planning? I think it is under estimated how many people like to "hit the sales" on boxing day and last year all I saw in town were standing loads across the routes, the 29 in particular seemed quite bad as people were being turned away.

Hi,

The analysis of Boxing Day is still going on and our plans still being worked on.  Thanks for the feedback though as it is always useful to have.

[966]

Hi

Any plans in the pipeline for an upgrade to the 966? Maybe some newer buses to replace the ageing presidents!

[trident4370]

Hey again Simon, one more question from me, seeing as Christmas is only 4 months away now, will there be any extra buses this Boxing Day or even a full sunday service(maybe finishing at 8pm or something), or is it still in the planning? I think it is under estimated how many people like to "hit the sales" on boxing day and last year all I saw in town were standing loads across the routes, the 29 in particular seemed quite bad as people were being turned away.

Hi,

The analysis of Boxing Day is still going on and our plans still being worked on.  Thanks for the feedback though as it is always useful to have.

You're welcome, It is nice to know that peoples input on here is actually doing some good! Thanks for the reply!

[Kevin]

Simon,

Would there ever be any plans to drastically increase levels of service on Sundays to match the demand? I imagine there would be problems getting drivers to work on Sunday but from a passenger perspective it's frustrating

[Liverpool Street]

Simon,

Would there ever be any plans to drastically increase levels of service on Sundays to match the demand? I imagine there would be problems getting drivers to work on Sunday but from a passenger perspective it's frustrating

And I can say from a drivers viewpoint its a pain in the arse as you get reduced running time, so with more passengers you're nearly guaranteed to lose your drop back. Even though you'd expect reduced traffic, this isn't always the case.

It almost feels like nobody works anymore. Its busy all the time.  :(  Never used to be like this.

[NX OD]

Hi

Any plans in the pipeline for an upgrade to the 966? Maybe some newer buses to replace the ageing presidents!

Hi,

Nothing planned.

[NX OD]

Simon,

Would there ever be any plans to drastically increase levels of service on Sundays to match the demand? I imagine there would be problems getting drivers to work on Sunday but from a passenger perspective it's frustrating

Hi,

We are always looking at where our service levels are compared to demand.  Most drivers work a 5 from 7 contract and would work to a roster so no problems there.

[Liverpool Street]

Hi Simon,

Any idea what these Gold Corridors are - what's the difference - Is it just A routes and B routes, as according to AVL working?

Always wondered that

LS

[NX OD]

Hi Simon,

Any idea what these Gold Corridors are - what's the difference - Is it just A routes and B routes, as according to AVL working?

Always wondered that

LS

The plans are still being developed now that we have signed the new partnership with Centro.  It will not be related to the AVL codes.

[Liverpool Street]

Hi Simon,

Any idea what these Gold Corridors are - what's the difference - Is it just A routes and B routes, as according to AVL working?

Always wondered that

LS

The plans are still being developed now that we have signed the new partnership with Centro.  It will not be related to the AVL codes.

No problem. Thank you.

And from a bus nuts view;

Will a Birmingham bus ever get a certain heritage colouring?

And looking back at Tony's photos, have our open top tours stopped for good?