New NWM website

[Kevin]

Anyone tried to use the new NWM website, especially the journey planning and timetables bit?

The previous one was fine, I could search for a place name (eg Tamworth or Halesowen) and it would return all the routes that serve there, with the full timetable and route map (without having to actually download it)

Now you have to know the service number or do the whole "journey planner" thing which isn't useful if you want to know general things like the frequency or the route it takes.

[Stuharris 6360]

Anyone tried to use the new NWM website, especially the journey planning and timetables bit?

The previous one was fine, I could search for a place name (eg Tamworth or Halesowen) and it would return all the routes that serve there, with the full timetable and route map (without having to actually download it)

Now you have to know the service number or do the whole "journey planner" thing which isn't useful if you want to know general things like the frequency or the route it takes.

Also i tried to look for service changes, which you have to sign up for and are sent a weekly email (or so they say).

[paulb1973]

Also i tried to look for service changes, which you have to sign up for and are sent a weekly email (or so they say).

Yes, I've noticed that - I had the old Service Changes page as a fav, now it has suddenly become a dead link. Can't they just put them on their website? Can you search Bus Services by route number alone [without the name of the operator] think you could previously.

[Stuharris 6360]

Yes, I've noticed that - I had the old Service Changes page as a fav, now it has suddenly become a dead link. Can't they just put them on their website? Can you search Bus Services by route number alone [without the name of the operator] think you could previously.

If you look at the timetables, then it shows either as current or a start from date, however without the service changes pages how do you know a service has changed.

[Dom]

Yes and if im honest its bloody awful

[Kevin]

Glad I ain't the only one then.
If I wanted a journey planner thing like that the previous version was kinda good enough, or just use Traveline. Age old saying "if it ain't broke don't fix it" comes into mind

[Adam 404]

If you look at the timetables, then it shows either as current or a start from date, however without the service changes pages how do you know a service has changed.

You have to have it emailed to you and so far, as I had registered on Thursday, haven't received an email... Which isn't overly convenient... I would of thought I may of got an email on Friday for Sundays Service changes but no...

[Roy]

The travel planner is a joke.  I decided to test it by asking to travel from home to New Street station.  The first two suggestions were :-

1.   16 mins Walk - Walk to Bromley Lane
2.   Approximately 13 mins Bus - Take the bus National Express West Midlands 257 toward Stourbridge, Stourbridge Bus Station
3.   Approximately 5 mins Train - Take the igo train towards Providence Street
4.   Approximately 2 mins Walk - Walk to Lye (West Midlands) Rail Station
5.   Approximately 29 mins Train - Take the London Midland train towards Birmingham Moor Street
6.   Approximately 2 mins Walk - Walk to Birmingham, Birmingham New Street Rail Station

1.   3 mins Walk - Walk to Bromley Lane Randall Close
2.   Approximately 21 mins Bus - Take the bus Hansons 226 toward Dudley (W Mids), Dudley Bus Station
3.   Approximately 13 mins Bus - Take the bus Central Buses 74A toward West Bromwich
4.   Approximately 2 mins Walk - Walk to Dudley Port Rail Station
5.   Approximately 15 mins Train - Take the London Midland train towards Birmingham New Street


A few thoughts.  What is an igo Train ?  Why direct me to Lye station when there is only a train every 30 minutes?  Why should I take a tour of Kates Hill on a 74A when I can catch a 74 direct to Dudley Port?  How many people can walk from the platform at Moor Street to New Street in 2 minutes?

Apart from that, it's brilliant!

[uniquicity]

Luckily the Traveline site is unchanged.

www.travelinemidlands.co.uk

[RS]

Luckily the Traveline site is unchanged.

www.travelinemidlands.co.uk

Yet

[Other Walsall Tony]

The new site also has far less coverage of bus services around the country. I suppose not many people need to know the times of buses from Hastings to Tunbridge Wells, but it was still useful!

I have sent a comment to Centro and suggest others do the same...

[Stu]

The new site also has far less coverage of bus services around the country. I suppose not many people need to know the times of buses from Hastings to Tunbridge Wells, but it was still useful!

I have sent a comment to Centro and suggest others do the same...

Personally I found that annoying, as 'Network West Midlands' should be about bus services in this area. I prefer now that when searching by route number you only get resullts relevant to the West Midlands.

I think the new site looks great, seems easy to navigate, and while some functionality may take getting used to (like the timetable search) it will ultimately be far more informative and user-friendly in future.

[Kevin]

The thing that infuriates me most is purely from an enthusiasts perspective, if I'm planning a round trip I like to see what's available in a local area. Yes maps are available but for some areas kinda hard to locate, and not necessarily actual maps more schematic route diagrams. Also I don't really want to have to download the pdf timetable every time I look at a different service instead of just loading a Web page

[Stuharris 6360]

The travel planner is a joke.  I decided to test it by asking to travel from home to New Street station.  The first two suggestions were :-

1.   16 mins Walk - Walk to Bromley Lane
2.   Approximately 13 mins Bus - Take the bus National Express West Midlands 257 toward Stourbridge, Stourbridge Bus Station
3.   Approximately 5 mins Train - Take the igo train towards Providence Street
4.   Approximately 2 mins Walk - Walk to Lye (West Midlands) Rail Station
5.   Approximately 29 mins Train - Take the London Midland train towards Birmingham Moor Street
6.   Approximately 2 mins Walk - Walk to Birmingham, Birmingham New Street Rail Station

1.   3 mins Walk - Walk to Bromley Lane Randall Close
2.   Approximately 21 mins Bus - Take the bus Hansons 226 toward Dudley (W Mids), Dudley Bus Station
3.   Approximately 13 mins Bus - Take the bus Central Buses 74A toward West Bromwich
4.   Approximately 2 mins Walk - Walk to Dudley Port Rail Station
5.   Approximately 15 mins Train - Take the London Midland train towards Birmingham New Street


A few thoughts.  What is an igo Train ?  Why direct me to Lye station when there is only a train every 30 minutes?  Why should I take a tour of Kates Hill on a 74A when I can catch a 74 direct to Dudley Port?  How many people can walk from the platform at Moor Street to New Street in 2 minutes?

Apart from that, it's brilliant!

One slight thing, since when have trains run to Providence Street in Lye, or have Igo nuilt a new line in the last 24 hrs?  :D :D :D

[Adam 404]

Can someone else make sense of this... Which London Midland issues are effecting me!!!! I don't know where to start with these 32 service alerts which only specify the operators involved!

http://www.networkwestmidlands.com/ways-to-travel/train/