[SPLIT] Nice route recommendations

[Gareth]

The 14,55 and 94 are routes I've used most days for over 30 years. The areas served have seen some changes over the years. Washwood Heath Road in Ward End probably being the biggest change of demographic. Twice.

Smoking is vary rarely a problem now on these routes. To the point until one occasion last week, I can't remember the last time I encountered this. Fare dodging still happens, but it doesn't seem as bad as it was. No better or worse than any other West Midlands route.

Alum Rock Road still suffers from being a car park at times, and that's the biggest problem on the route, not the people.

Every time these routes get a mention there's always people on here, who don't use the routes and are quick to criticise and have xenophobic undertones.

On the whole, our routes are reliable and on time too, Using clean and smart buses.

[Westy]

Slightly off topic, but has fare dodging gone down a lot, because I thought with the different daily names on the tickets, it would be easier to spot?

[Trident 4194]

Slightly off topic, but has fare dodging gone down a lot, because I thought with the different daily names on the tickets, it would be easier to spot?

Spotting is the simple bit its removing them that can be tricky

[Sh4318]

Definitely X70. It's quite lovely through Water Orton & Coleshill

[Michael Bevan]

Definitely X70. It's quite lovely through Water Orton & Coleshill

I agree @Sh4318. I usually get the X12 if I need to get to Chelmsley Wood fast, as it's a nice and fast route (not the fastest, but it's quick enough). The X70 is a lovely route, and my favourite out of all the Birmingham to Chelmsley routes. It's lovely through Water Orton and Coleshill. Plus it's a nice route to do if you want to kill some time.

[Justin Tyme]

One really good thing about Birmingham - Chelmsley Wood is that there are plenty of routes and vehicle types to sample.  It's worth doing them all at least once if you have the time.

In fact, do them all and you will get to know quite alot of East Birmingham and North Solihull.  Some routes are more 'nice' than others, but IMHO they are all interesting in their own way.

[Jack]

Definitely X70. It's quite lovely through Water Orton & Coleshill

I agree - I've always enjoyed the X70 and the previous 70/90. Especially when you get a good Trident on it.

[Westy]

Must admit last Saturday when I went to Acocks Green, I would have to have waited for 15 mins for an X51 from Walsall, so I caught a 934 instead,

Going into AG from Brum, I caught a 31 but got fed up & bored going through Sparkbrook & Sparkhill(reminded me too much of the 51 through Aston), so on the way back, I caught a 1 to Five Ways instead, going via Moseley.

What a difference.

(It appears I might have gone past Jasper Carrott's childhood home, as he mentioned the road name in one of his paperbacks from the early 80's! As he put it 'Shaftmoor Lane, Acocks Green. Sounds like an address for a professional rapist!')

[Michael Bevan]

Must admit last Saturday when I went to Acocks Green, I would have to have waited for 15 mins for an X51 from Walsall, so I caught a 934 instead,

I do that quite occasionally. If there isn't an X51 due for some time but a 934 is due out, I'll jump on the 934 instead. I think the 934 takes around 10-15 minutes longer than the X51. But I think it's quite scenic over Barr Beacon. It's quite a nice alternative.

[Jack]

I do that quite occasionally. If there isn't an X51 due for some time but a 934 is due out, I'll jump on the 934 instead. I think the 934 takes around 10-15 minutes longer than the X51. But I think it's quite scenic over Barr Beacon. It's quite a nice alternative.

The 934 was a nice alternative when the route was E400's. Better than those Ecoshite sheds on it now. But the 934 does feel just as quick as an X51 times, even faster as you are not stuck in Scott Arms. Personally I prefer the 935 over the 934/5.

[Westy]

I remember me & my brother going into Brum the one Monday night, when I was away from work, in fact it was a Euro 2016 England match night.

We caught a 934 & my bro said he hadn't been down that way for sometime.

One of the places we went to was that Peaky Blinders theme bar at the bottom of Bull St, but the Guinness was off!

[MasterPlan]

To be fair I got the 47 the once to Cofton Hackett and once you got past the Pershore Road section there was some nice areas.

[Westy]

To be fair I got the 47 the once to Cofton Hackett and once you got past the Pershore Road section there was some nice areas.

Sounds like somewhere you'd find in Marple/Miss Marple!

[GeminiFan1991]

I personally think the X12 is a nice route to Chelmsley Wood from City Centre. I believe the 97 is the fastest route to Chelmsley Wood if time is a factor.

In regards to scenic routes, I think an underrated route is the YW 49. It's quite a long route but its nice.

[2206]

I personally think the X12 is a nice route to Chelmsley Wood from City Centre. I believe the 97 is the fastest route to Chelmsley Wood if time is a factor.

In regards to scenic routes, I think an underrated route is the YW 49. It's quite a long route but its nice.

The 94 is just as fast as the 97. As can be seen by looking at the timetable:
97 :
Birmingham City Centre - 07:18
Chelmsley Wood - 07:56
38 minutes.

Birmingham City Centre - 12:20.
Chelmsley Wood - 13:07.
47 minutes.

Birmingham City Centre - 17:00
Chelmsley Wood - 17:52.
52 minutes.

94:
Birmingham City Centre - 07:18.
Chelmsley Wood - 07:53.
38 minutes.

Birmingham City Centre - 12:25.
Chelmsley Wood - 13:07.
42 minutes.

Birmingham City Centre - 17:01.
Chelmsley Wood - 17:52
51 minutes.

@GeminiFan1991

The 55 is fairly quick as well.
With not much in it between the 55 and  94/97, though it does take slightly longer.
Birmingham City Centre - 07:11.
Chelmsley Wood 07:54.
43 minutes.

Birmingham City Centre - 12:05.
Chelmsley Wood - 12:52.
46 minutes.

Birmingham City Centre - 17:05.
Chelmsley Wood - 18:54.
59 minutes.