Diamond East Midlands (formerly Midland Classic)

[John]

They may do 2 positioning journeys on the X12. No point with all the expense of an outstation for a couple of buses for one roure

[Hector]

Another route registered from 5 November is JL1 Birmingham Bristol Street to Redditch I Force

[metrocity]

According to a post on the train forum Midland Classic have won the 53.
53 Erdington to Smiths Wood - via Nechells, Saltley, Alum Rock, Bordesley Green, Heartlands Hospital, Stechford, Shard End, Buckland End and Castle Bromwich.
Therefore operating in areas of East Birmingham that they have never operated in before.
I wander what they'll use?
https://www.railforums.co.uk/threads/west-midlands-bus-network-review-s.129378/page-3#post-3641661

MC have turned down the award

[I love Walsall buses]

MC have turned down the award

So who will be running the 53

[metrocity]

So who will be running the 53

Back out to tender again (for a 3rd time)

[Kevin]

So who will be running the 53

I would love to see nx on it. Give up pretending to care about the 66 and have it just run city - stab city and the 53 can provide the link from Nechells up to Erdington

[Trident 4194]

I would love to see nx on it. Give up pretending to care about the 66 and have it just run city - stab city and the 53 can provide the link from Nechells up to Erdington

Stab city? Is it that bad @Kevin?

[Kevin]

Stab city? Is it that bad @Kevin?

I'll be honest it was mostly auto correct, because it's referred to like that quite often lol
Honestly it's better than it used to be, ergo it got that nickname

[Westy]

Back out to tender again (for a 3rd time)

Speaking as a 'armchair expert', I was surprised they'd come down that far from Burton in the first place!

[I love Walsall buses]

Back out to tender again (for a 3rd time)

Well discount travel solutions or claribels might get it
Just a thought

[2206]

Well discount travel solutions or claribels might get it
Just a thought

Extremly unlikely.
Can't see that happening.

[fleetline6477]

Extremly unlikely.
Can't see that happening.

Could say the same about Travel Express picking up the tender for Bilston route 303!!

[2206]

Could say the same about Travel Express picking up the tender for Bilston route 303!!

I looked at the operators licesnce as well from DTS.
They currently have 6 buses on there.
They currently use:
- 2 on the 11C.
- 2 on the 11A.
- 1 on the 72.
- 1 on the 966 (Monday only).
Total of 6.
So even though that is true, they don't appear to have enough buses on that operators licence to operate it on top of what they already have.
I'm sure Travel Express had an extension to there operators lisence not long before winning the 303 as well.
Social, one of the related operators, would have enough though, though they would need more buses and drivers to operate it (they only seem to have one driver now (its the the same driver everyday) and one bus (SK51AYC) now.

[Steveminor]

You're forgetting RK travel & Sunny Travel.

[Westy]

To be fair TE's depot & the 303 is a lot closer than Burton & East Brum!