Previous east Birmingham network review

[:D]

One of suggestions outlined in the review was to divert one of those bus routes along Stratford Road to Coventry Road.

This suggestion never saw the reality. Perhaps they know something I don't. Anyway, here's a suggestion of mine.

With bus routes of 2, 3, 5, 5A, 6, 31, and 37 (probably outdated by now), there's around 30-35 buses per hour along the road in one direction during daytime.

Buses on Coventry road do sometimes get busy during the day especially when it's running through Small Heath.

So, my suggestion is to divert one of those 20 minute frequency bus routes from Stratford Road to Coventry Road. The one that goes via Acocks Green would be easier to divert. The 31 could be suitable for this role.

The 31 would go to Acocks Green then onto Coventry Road. Only issue is congestion if they go via Yardley Road. Going via Stockfield road would be better instead.

On Coventry Road, the route would go express and skip Small Heath. 957 frequency would be reduced from 15 minute frequency to 30 minute. Two additional buses gained from the reduction would go towards forming the new 57.

The 60's frequency would be reduced from 15 minute to 30 minute and additional buses will go towards the 57.

To summarise it up:

31: 20 minute frequency. No additional buses needed.

57: 20 minute frequency. New route.

60: 30 minute frequency. Reduction from 15.

957: 30 minute frequency. Reduction from 15.

The people who lose out on this suggestion are the ones who live near Summer Road in Acocks Green. I think it's possible for a bus route in that region to be rerouted to cover the road. The ones on (old) Lode Lane would lose out on less express buses but IMO 30 minute frequency is enough for them as people rarely go full length.

What does anyone think of this suggestion?

[D10]

Sorry, but on the section between Yardley and Sheldon, there would be 2 less buses per hour on both the 60 and 957, offset by 3 extra an hour on the 57? That would be an overall loss of one bus per hour on that section. Can't see that being a good idea.

Also with the Investment that has gone into the 957, most recently the Platinum vehicles and all the marketing that has gone into that, you would reduce the frequency of that to a  far less attractive 30 mins service, or face a slower trip through Small Heath, which let's face it is not an area that people in parts of the 957 route would want to share a bus with.

[Gareth]

If they are that snobby going through Small Heath that they may come across a Chav in a track suit and baseball cap or someone in a head scarf, I'd rather they stay in their cars.

[Abluhwleh]

@Gareth I avoid Small Heath on this route every chance I get. And I am the least snobby person going, I just don't much enjoy sitting in traffic the whole time. The bypass is there for a reason...

[Stu]

So, my suggestion is to divert one of those 20 minute frequency bus routes from Stratford Road to Coventry Road. The one that goes via Acocks Green would be easier to divert. The 31 could be suitable for this role.

The 31 would go to Acocks Green then onto Coventry Road. Only issue is congestion if they go via Yardley Road. Going via Stockfield road would be better instead.

On Coventry Road, the route would go express and skip Small Heath.

That's pretty much what I suggested to Centro when I took part in the consultation. The proposal for the 31 suggested that passengers to/from Gospel Oak wanted a faster route to and from city centre. And that to me seemed like a better option.

The proposed changes to the 31 wouldn't have needed to affect the 957 though, or justify creating a new 57 service. It would have meant maintaining the 1 as it was, to keep the link between Acocks Green and Stratford Road. It was just a bit surprising when the results were announced, as the 1 hadn't even been mentioned in the consultation proposals (it ended up replacing the withdrawn part of the 3 service between Acocks Green and Shirley).

[Steveminor]

There's talk of some major changes in East birmingham solihull area with rumours that the 55a is going to be cancelled the 97a to the airport is also going along with its 24hr service & the 966 is to be chopped in half with the 966 just running solihull to chelmsley wood, the chelmsley wood to Erdington section will be covered by an extended 38

[MK]

There's talk of some major changes in East birmingham solihull area with rumours that the 55a is going to be cancelled the 97a to the airport is also going along with its 24hr service & the 966 is to be chopped in half with the 966 just running solihull to chelmsley wood, the chelmsley wood to Erdington section will be covered by an extended 38

1 of the Bordesley drivers has told me the same regarding the 55a. Increased frequency for the 55 apparently.

[2206]

There's talk of some major changes in East birmingham solihull area with rumours that the 55a is going to be cancelled the 97a to the airport is also going along with its 24hr service & the 966 is to be chopped in half with the 966 just running solihull to chelmsley wood, the chelmsley wood to Erdington section will be covered by an extended 38

Could they extend one of the routes in Solihull to Chelmsley Wood? Maybe the 76 every 40 minutes?

[RS]

Could they extend one of the routes in Solihull to Chelmsley Wood? Maybe the 76 every 40 minutes?

Well the one question is would passengers like an infrequent bus route  ???

[2206]

Well the one question is would passengers like an infrequent bus route  ???

The 966 is every 30 minutes.
If the 76 was extended and every 40 minutes I don't think the passengers would mind.

[2206]

We can find that out when the 297 is changed to 40 mins aka infrequent

The 966 is infrequent at the moment though every 30 minutes.

[RS]

The 966 is infrequent at the moment though every 30 minutes.

Yes but say as if it was at

0701,0741
0821
0901,0941
etc it would be to much of a bother but if it was due to time keeping then there needs to be timetable change

if it is at 30 mins

0701,0731
0801,0831
0901,0931

[2206]

Yes but say as if it was at

0701,0741
0821
0901,0941
etc it would be to much of a bother but if it was due to time keeping then there needs to be timetable change

if it is at 30 mins

0701,0731
0801,0831
0901,0931

How would it be to much of a bother?

[Tony]

The 966 is every 30 minutes.
If the 76 was extended and every 40 minutes I don't think the passengers would mind.

There is no logic in that at all, a 30 and 40 minute frequency would end up running close together every third bus, if more buses were needed you would just increase the frequency of the existing service

[2206]

There is no logic in that at all, a 30 and 40 minute frequency would end up running close together every third bus, if more buses were needed you would just increase the frequency of the existing service

They wouldn't end up running close together if the 966 was withdrawn/chopped in half.
with the 76 replacing the Solihull - Chelmsley Wood section and the 38 replacing the Chelmsley Wood - Erdington section.