A34 and A45 Sprint routes will run 'cross-city'

[the trainbasher]

A more logical solution would be to have the P&R as an exit off the J7 roundabout, while at the same time sorting out that ridiculous layout so it looks like a normal functioning junction.

Apparently there was a response to the reason of the junction 7 layout on SABRE

Designs for this junction were compromised by its close proximity to the M5.

The idea of this layout is to maximise the distance between the west facing slips and junction 8.

[ellspurs]

Apparently there was a response to the reason of the junction 7 layout on SABRE

And that first "early design" shown on SABRE would've solved the problem and allowed for the P&R to be stuck on the green stuff up there without issue.

[Sandy Lane]

@don - If you look at the Sprint marketing material, they are illustrated as Van Hool artics.

You know, artics from the 2000's that are now coke cans

Can someone tell the mayor that artics are a thing of the past. I suggest the mayor had best come up with a new plan - perhaps having a look back in time at https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/FTR_(bus).

Bradford/Leeds FTR gone 2016
York FTR gone 2012
Luton gone
Swansea FTR gone 2015


MOD NOTE - fixed link  ;) - Stu

[Stu]

Can someone tell the mayor that artics are a thing of the past. I suggest the mayor had best come up with a new plan - perhaps having a look back in time at https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/FTR_(bus).

Bradford/Leeds FTR gone 2016
York FTR gone 2012
Luton gone
Swansea FTR gone 2015

Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) as a concept is not new, Bogota in Columbia have had this type of system since 2000:
https://ggwash.org/view/62869/bogota-has-a-world-renowned-brt-what-would-it-take-to-replicate-it

[Jack]

https://www.expressandstar.com/news/transport/2020/02/10/sprint-bus-service-connecting-walsall-and-birmingham-set-to-be-signed-off/

[Busboy105]

https://www.expressandstar.com/news/transport/2020/02/10/sprint-bus-service-connecting-walsall-and-birmingham-set-to-be-signed-off/

So this is actually happening then. Hope this last long unlike the York and Swansea BRTs.
Anyone seen the article on Birmingham Mail about the woman who is going to have her house demolished in order to make way for the new tram line? Absolutely ludicrous.

[winston]

What a waste of £88 million.

[Busboy105]

What a waste of £88 million.

Could've been better spent elsewhere for example improving traffic on major roads I.e. Dudley Road or expand on the tram network. Manchester and Sheffield have a better tram network than us.

[winston]

Could've been better spent elsewhere for example improving traffic on major roads I.e. Dudley Road or expand on the tram network. Manchester and Sheffield have a better tram network than us.

£88 million won't buy much of an tram extension.

[Stu]

So we can probably expect confirmation of who this 'mystery operator' is going to be in coming weeks, no prizes for guessing who.

Rather than 'competing' against any succesful contract bidder, National Express West Midlands surely have all the data they need from usage of the X51, X1 and X2 to have a good idea of how commercially succesful they expect this service to be.

This Sprint route could well be the end of those services then, as they would surely be direct replacements along those corridors. There would of course still be a need for the likes of the 33, 51 and 60, as well as a possible new Coventry to Airport via Meriden service.

Good news for other bus passengers then, as this would free up Platinum vehicles to be cascaded on to other routes.

[Busboy105]

So we can probably expect confirmation of who this 'mystery operator' is going to be in coming weeks, no prizes for guessing who.

Rather than 'competing' against any succesful contract bidder, National Express West Midlands surely have all the data they need from usage of the X51, X1 and X2 to have a good idea of how commercially succesful they expect this service to be.

This Sprint route could well be the end of those services then, as they would surely be direct replacements along those corridors. There would of course still be a need for the likes of the 33, 51 and 60, as well as a possible new Coventry to Airport via Meriden service.

Good news for other bus passengers then, as this would free up Platinum vehicles to be cascaded on to other routes.

Yeah, East Birmingham will finally get good buses. (This was sarcasm by the way before I accidentally start ANOTHER rant).

[2206]

This Sprint route could well be the end of those services then, as they would surely be direct replacements along those corridors. There would of course still be a need for the likes of the 33, 51 and 60, as well as a possible new Coventry to Airport via Meriden service.

And what about passengers who change onto the X1 and X2, from other services such as the 11 with NX passes and tickets.
I suppose these passes and tickets would no longer be valid, and fares will increase for these passengers?

[Tony]

And what about passengers who change onto the X1 and X2, from other services such as the 11 with NX passes and tickets.
I suppose these passes and tickets would no longer be valid, and fares will increase for these passengers?

Why would it be any different to now?

[2206]

Why would it be any different to now?

I never said it would be, so there will be passes/tickets valid on both sprint and bus, at the same price as the NX Bus passes/tickets?

And presumably passengers on Old Lode Lane will have to have some replacement because of this sprint service. Frequency to Solihull halved and complete loss of service to Birmingham City Centre, if the X2 goes.

[Tony]

I never said it would be, so there will be passes/tickets valid on both sprint and bus, at the same price as the NX Bus passes/tickets?

You asked this question

"I suppose these passes and tickets would no longer be valid, and fares will increase for these passengers?"

I asked

"Why would it be any different to now?"

Why go into aggressive mode