Midland Metropolitan Hospital opens October 2024, service changes?

[Stu]

Apparently I have been informed that these changes won't be taking place until sometime in October now.

[OH25]

some of the 54 bus stops only displaying that route 
54A has gone 

[2900]

WB 82/87/89 start serving the M.M.H  from the 29th September from city only , turn right into Grove lane then left onto the dual carriageway then right at the island, oh what joy that will be .

[Stu]

New timetables are now on the TfWM website.

Looks like the revised 54 service will become half-hourly during the Mon-Sat daytimes and will use Grove Lane and Cape Hill instead of Windmill Lane. Also Europa Village and Queens Head will no longer be served.

89 will continue along Cape Hill and onto Grove Lane to terminate and start from the hospital.

[Sh4318]

New timetables are now on the TfWM website.

Looks like the revised 54 service will become half-hourly during the Mon-Sat daytimes and will use Grove Lane and Cape Hill instead of Windmill Lane. Also Europa Village and Queens Head will no longer be served.

89 will continue along Cape Hill and onto Grove Lane to terminate and start from the hospital.

Slight annoyance that the 54A has been withdrawn without a replacement, considering it replaced a route that ran everyday. But I say slight because I barely used it myself 

Interesting that the 54 is serving Grove Lane instead of Windmill Lane, so which confirms they'll be no direct link to the hospital, not the end of the world, but seemed pretty logical

Out of interest, does anyone know how well used the Bearwood to Cape Hill section of the 89 is?

[Stu]

Slight annoyance that the 54A has been withdrawn without a replacement, considering it replaced a route that ran everyday. But I say slight because I barely used it myself

Interesting that the 54 is serving Grove Lane instead of Windmill Lane, so which confirms they'll be no direct link to the hospital, not the end of the world, but seemed pretty logical

Out of interest, does anyone know how well used the Bearwood to Cape Hill section of the 89 is?

The 54 will call at the stops in the hospital grounds in both directions, as will the 89.

The 54A is replaced by the revised 54 service which now runs half-hourly as a result.

Regarding the 89, clearly that part of the route wasn't that well used, it remains to be seen whether it becomes better used to and from this new hospital.

[OH25]

Making the 54 go down Grove Lane is fine, but surely sending the 89 down Windmill Lane and then Grove Lane to the hospital would be the logical idea so it still retains a bus going down that road.


Then to take it one step further as an idea: 
Maybe a one way loop, so Windmill Lane then Grove Lane to terminus. Then up the Dudley Road, right onto City Road and then follow the 80 back up to Cape Hill and back to its normal route. At least part of the 89 Bearwood connection isn't lost and easier to transfer on the 11, 12 and 13 routes.

[Stu]

Making the 54 go down Grove Lane is fine, but surely sending the 89 down Windmill Lane and then Grove Lane to the hospital would be the logical idea so it still retains a bus going down that road.

The 80 serves Windmill Lane so nothing is being lost really.

[Westy]

Am I correct in thinking that with this place opening, the facillities at Sandwell will either be reduced or axed?

It'll be interesting to see what happens to the services round there eventually.

I remember from the old Birmingham timetables, there used to be a 62 down the Bristol Road, but I guess that route went when Rover shut?

[Rachvince53]

Apparently I have been informed that these changes won't be taking place until sometime in October now.

Changes will come into effect on 29th September 2024. 
Among the changes are that the 89 will no longer run between Cape Hill and Bearwood but terminate at the hospital instead.
 Services 82 & 87 out of Birmingham will serve a new stop in Grove Lane. (To Birmingham will follow existing route).
54A withdrawn
54 will no longer serve Europa Village on Sundays

[SO6597]

Am I correct in thinking that with this place opening, the facillities at Sandwell will either be reduced or axed?

It'll be interesting to see what happens to the services round there eventually.

I remember from the old Birmingham timetables, there used to be a 62 down the Bristol Road, but I guess that route went when Rover shut?

Eventually - it lasted for another 5 years before being replaced by different configurations of links into the city centre (X62, 98) which eventually disappeared with the withdrawl of the X20.

[Stu]

Interesting, with NX's 54 no longer serving Europa Village on Sundays, Diamond are withdrawing their own 54A service on Sundays, and replacing it with a new 61A service.

https://x.com/diamondbuses/status/1838589063932133731

[Stu]

I know the new hospital doesn't open until next week, but surely all the 'construction works' should be completed by now?

https://x.com/nxwestmidlands/status/1840678015602147791

Also seems a little disheartening to read that the new bus stops on Grove Lane for the 82 and 87 are already being affectionately known as the 'McDonalds Interchange'.

Interesting there is no mention of any diversion for the 54 service, presumably just missing out the hospital stop and continuing along Grove Lane?

[PinkBus]

I know the new hospital doesn't open until next week, but surely all the 'construction works' should be completed by now?

https://x.com/nxwestmidlands/status/1840678015602147791

Also seems a little disheartening to read that the new bus stops on Grove Lane for the 82 and 87 are already being affectionately known as the 'McDonalds Interchange'.

Interesting there is no mention of any diversion for the 54 service, presumably just missing out the hospital stop and continuing along Grove Lane?

It's strange to hear it called the McDonald's interchange, as someone born and bred in Smethwick, it will always be the Cape of Good Hope island opposite the brewery and the new 82/87 stop is by the George Grove Lane. Nice little pub. I saw a band that had two ex members of Musical Youth there. They were brilliant and should've had a lot more success.

[Sh4318]

It's strange to hear it called the McDonald's interchange, as someone born and bred in Smethwick, it will always be the Cape of Good Hope island opposite the brewery and the new 82/87 stop is by the George Grove Lane. Nice little pub. I saw a band that had two ex members of Musical Youth there. They were brilliant and should've had a lot more success.

Same. I've always referred to it as Cape Hill Island

So will the 82/87 continue serving just "McDonalds Interchange" after the construction works or will it actually serve the hospital? If so, I don't understand why they can't serve the hospital in both directions