Platinum

[Tony]

This weeks staff business gives the other routes going Platinum

Other new Platinum buses will be coming later this year to:
Pensnett (for a new express route to Merry Hill)
Perry Barr (for several Sutton routes)
Birmingham Central (for a new Bristol Road express and new Coventry Road express)
Acocks Green (for a revamped 966)

[Stu]

This weeks staff business gives the other routes going Platinum

Other new Platinum buses will be coming later this year to:
Pensnett (for a new express route to Merry Hill)
Perry Barr (for several Sutton routes)
Birmingham Central (for a new Bristol Road express and new Coventry Road express)
Acocks Green (for a revamped 966)

I'm presuming the 'new express route to Merry Hill' is the X10, unless something else is in the pipeline?

And the 'new Coventry Road express' is the proposed 960, so this has been decided already then?

[pb2012]

Bristol road express 961 or 963???????

[BK63 YWP]

Several Sutton routes? 902/4/5/7/14?

[Dom]

Several Sutton routes? 902/4/5/7/14?

77 since it is moving to Perry Barr?

[Kevin]

I'm presuming the 'new express route to Merry Hill' is the X10, unless something else is in the pipeline?

And the 'new Coventry Road express' is the proposed 960, so this has been decided already then?

My thoughts exactly. Why bother pretending to consider the public's views when you've already allocated new deliveries to these "proposed" new services?

[Tony]

I'm presuming the 'new express route to Merry Hill' is the X10, unless something else is in the pipeline?

And the 'new Coventry Road express' is the proposed 960, so this has been decided already then?

No. Extra fast buses are needed to cope with passenger numbers, if the 960 is rejected then extra buses will be put on another way, so BC still need these new buses

[markcf83]

Several Sutton routes? 902/4/5/7/14?

I would have thought the 902/4/5/14 definitely. Not too sure about the 907 though.

[Michael Bevan]

77 since it is moving to Perry Barr?

77 isn't going on the Sutton rota. It's going with the 38.

[B.C Driver]

The Bristol Rd has had its fair share of express routes over the recent years. 64, ,963, 964, 961, 949.

The trouble with the Bristol Rd, compared to say the 907 route for example is that the 907, previously 107 has plenty of underpasses and flyovers to make an express route work. The 904 etc use the expressway, again ideal (when its not congested!).
There's nothing like that on the Bristol Rd, so it will get stuck in the same traffic as the 61 and 63. And not stopping at stops it passes that the 61 and 63 use results in passenger arguements.
I've always thought the junction of Bristol St and Belgrave Rd would have been ideal for a flyover.

[John]

77 isn't going on the Sutton rota. It's going with the 38.

It says 'several Sutton routes'. It Doesn't say Birmingham to Sutton routes though

I would have thought the 902/4/5/14 definitely. Not too sure about the 907 though.

I really don't think the 907 will be included. I wonder if this will be the end of 907/914 late night interworking. The 914 deserves to go Platinum, I was slowly changing my views to think that we would get Platinum buses either this or next year, just something different from Enviro400 MMCs would be nice!

[GeminiFan1991]

It says 'several Sutton routes'. It Doesn't say Birmingham to Sutton routes though

I really don't think the 907 will be included. I wonder if this will be the end of 907/914 late night interworking. The 914 deserves to go Platinum, I was slowly changing my views to think that we would get Platinum buses either this or next year, just something different from Enviro400 MMCs would be nice!

I personally think that only the 902/4/5 should go Platinum as it helps compete directly with Arriva's 110.

I personally feel as though with the more routes going Platinum the more the uniqueness wears off.

[Dom]

It says 'several Sutton routes'. It Doesn't say Birmingham to Sutton routes though

Which is where ny idea about the 77. With it getting spare platinums at WA, due to it moving to pb would be understandable if it does become platinum.

[B.C Driver]

I personally think that only the 902/4/5 should go Platinum as it helps compete directly with Arriva's 110.

I personally feel as though with the more routes going Platinum the more the uniqueness wears off.

Totally agree GeminiFan.

Still not convinced 'Platinum' feels right. Couldn't they have done 'Gold' routes, as this stands out far more. The Platinum colour is dull looking to me. And after all, gold is the most precious of metals.

[GeminiFan1991]

Totally agree GeminiFan.

Still not convinced 'Platinum' feels right. Couldn't they have done 'Gold' routes, as this stands out far more. The Platinum colour is dull looking to me. And after all, gold is the most precious of metals.

I actually get the Platinum status. Arriva have Sapphire, Stagecoach have Gold so National Express choosing Platinum seems good and logical.

I think the first round of Platinum routes were good and they made sense although I feel as though it's being somewhat milked. My only only wish is that I would love another vehicle type to get the Platinum treatment. I like the idea of a Platinum Gemini 3 at AG for the 966.