Service Changes July 20th 2025

[GoldenSquid]

Not until November.

2nd November 2025 until the 30th October 2027

[LiamsTransport1]

So from 20th July is it just the 19, 76 and the 41 serving the QE Hospital main entrance? For one of the largest hospitals in the UK that's an absolute joke.

If there's one place that needs public transport to its door it's a major hospital.

Issues with cars and taxis blocking bus access have been largely alleviated with the outside lane being a bus lane so it's a surprise to see services being diverted away.

So from 20th July, Weoley Castle, Northfield  and Hawkesley no longer has a link to the front entrance of the Hospital.... .

In the last service changes it was Bearwood, West Bromwich Etc (please if missed any feel free to add)

I know people will say 'It's only a short walk' but as I said previously in this thread, not everyone can manage it, If the interchange can't cope with the amount of buses then it's design isn't fit for purpose in my opinion. It doesn't help the countless times I've gone through it taxis and people waiting to pick people up block the route for the buses to get in.

[2206]

So from 20th July, Weoley Castle, Northfield  and Hawkesley no longer has a link to the front entrance of the Hospital.... .

In the last service changes it was Bearwood, West Bromwich Etc (please if missed any feel free to add)

The thing about this one is the 46 was always going to change since the X20 was introduced anyway.
If you really wanted to I guess you could always change for the 76 at the Olleaster or Gibbins Road

& I'm not 100% sure how it works but if they can't manage the walk to the bus stop, to be honest you'd think they might be eligible for hospital patient transport. I know the service exists as my grandma used it. Ring&Ride don't do hospital transport.

[hemmy]

So from 20th July, Weoley Castle, Northfield  and Hawkesley no longer has a link to the front entrance of the Hospital.... .

In the last service changes it was Bearwood, West Bromwich Etc (please if missed any feel free to add)

I know people will say 'It's only a short walk' but as I said previously in this thread, not everyone can manage it, If the interchange can't cope with the amount of buses then it's design isn't fit for purpose in my opinion. It doesn't help the countless times I've gone through it taxis and people waiting to pick people up block the route for the buses to get in.

They honestly ought to make that entrance/interchange bus only.

I used to drop off and pick up my mom from work at this entrance, and its nothing but disrespectful and selfish 20-or-so cars and drivers fighting over the 5ish parking spaces there, then when they don't get their way, drive into places that are only for emergency vehicles or buses. It's all frankly mad every time I go there, they ought to make those "waiting" spaces bus stops/stands in my opinion.

Too many a time I've seen the 48 and 76 get completely stuck because some git has parked in the bus lane. There are other entrances and parking spaces for cars to use nearby at the QEHB.

I haven't spoken to my mom in a year, but she used to get the 48 to this entrance on some mornings, I don't know what she's going to do now. I guess get off at University and walk down the walkway. but for someone in her 50's with plantar fasciitis that's about to do a 12 hour shift, it's got to be awful.

[Justin Tyme]

Stagecoach have now announced the forthcoming withdrawal of the 46, 46A and 169 on their website:

https://www.stagecoachbus.com/service-updates/serviceupdatesarticle?SituationId=ID-24/06/2025-10:12:15:369

They say they are sad to be no longer operating them.

[Westy]

Stagecoach have now announced the forthcoming withdrawal of the 46, 46A and 169 on their website:

https://www.stagecoachbus.com/service-updates/serviceupdatesarticle?SituationId=ID-24/06/2025-10:12:15:369

They say they are sad to be no longer operating them.

Wasn't they always cancelling journeys due to staff shortages, plus the home depot being well out of the TfWM area?

[ellspurs]

Where would it extend too? Up Belchers Lane, Sladefield Road & to the Fox & Goose maybe?
Or to cover some of the 73 roads - Yardley Green Road, Newbridge Road, Heybarnes Road to Small Heath Asda?

The top route would've taken it back along parts of the old 36 route, I think.

[LiamsTransport1]

Depot for the 41  46, 169, and A9 is Rugby

[Justin Tyme]

Depot for the 41  46, 169, and A9 is Rugby

That's right. One of the more surprising events in recent years.

The word on the street was that Stagecoach were looking for a depot in the Birmingham area when they won the tenders for these services at the start of 2023. They obviously didn't get one, so I guess they deserve credit for staying the course for 2.5 years (and ongoing for the 41 and A9, of course).

[SO6597]

Wasn't they always cancelling journeys due to staff shortages, plus the home depot being well out of the TfWM area?

There were certainly lots of issues with the 46 in the early weeks of operation - the original terminal point in Kings Heath was unsustainable due to the service having to navigate very narrow streets and the protests of local residents, I think they were using agency drivers at this time too.

However, a few tweaks here and there settled things down and the route has become pretty reliable from what I can see.

[keyy927]

Depot for the 41  46, 169, and A9 is Rugby

RUGBY?

[2206]

RUGBY?

Rugby in Warwickshire.

[BBS]

RUGBY?

Yep. The mileage is shocking. Especially if a bus breaks down. KX60LHW broke down on the 41 few days ago, took ages for a replacement to arrive all the way from rugby 

[LiamsTransport1]

RUGBY?

Yes, I presume most of the drivers who work the services are based from there too. So quite a long way.

[Isle of Stroma]

Yes, I presume most of the drivers who work the services are based from there too. So quite a long way.

Things may have changed since the last time I asked, if not then the answer's no. Drivers I have spoken with claimed to be from the former United Counties depots - Northampton / Kettering (and farther afield too at the start of the contract, I think Bedford was the furthest mentioned).

The A9 is a lot more dependable now (or less chronically unreliable, depending on how you want to view things). The 41 is less so in my experience - I intended to use it yesterday, gave it a wide berth when Bustimes suggested that it was almost half an hour late on the inbound trip...