November 2025 Service Changes

[BK63 YWP]

Unlikely since with a few exceptions most routes in the area have "local" one or two digit numbers (excluding variations such as 16A) and in my opinion there would be no logic in renumbering it back to 205.

It'll be back with franchising. 

[Steve3229vp]

It'll be back with franchising.

Will it, what makes you think that ?

[Tony]

Benefits of Franchising?
Solve the driver shortage, most common reason for missing buses? - Unlikely, it has got worse in many parts of Manchester.
Solve buses being delayed due to traffic problems? - No, only bus priority will do that whoever is running the buses.
Stop shareholders taking money for a public service? - No, in the current climate it will probably increase the profits of private companies.
Improve service provision? - only if a lot more money is available to pay for all the new unprofitable services.
Make fares cheaper? - only if more taxpayers money is used.
Give one man a massive ego boost? - Yes, he can boast he personal 'controls' all the buses

[BlackCountryBusSpotter]

Benefits of Franchising?
Solve the driver shortage, most common reason for missing buses? - Unlikely, it has got worse in many parts of Manchester.
Solve buses being delayed due to traffic problems? - No, only bus priority will do that whoever is running the buses.
Stop shareholders taking money for a public service? - No, in the current climate it will probably increase the profits of private companies.
Improve service provision? - only if a lot more money is available to pay for all the new unprofitable services.
Make fares cheaper? - only if more taxpayers money is used.
Give one man a massive ego boost? - Yes, he can boast he personal 'controls' all the buses

This is something I knew that was going to happen make people think something is changing but in theory things are getting worse, I suspected this when he said Franchising is going to reduce congestion. Richard Parker hopes enough people believe him so he can try and get a 2nd term

[Callum]

Sorry for the previous post it glitched out, but how will the 25 be affected im a bit dumb and dont get it all

[Stu]

Sorry for the previous post it glitched out, but how will the 25 be affected im a bit dumb and dont get it all

The contract goes out to tender, which operators then bid on. Whichever operator wins the contract, then they will take it over.

The new contract for the 25 doesn't commence until 4th January 2026. 

[Callum]

The contract goes out to tender, which operators then bid on. Whichever operator wins the contract, then they will take it over.

The new contract for the 25 doesn't commence until 4th January 2026.

This might be a dumb question, but aren't the tendered routes basically ran by TFWM, is there any musts that the 25 must follow route wise etc

[Stu]

This might be a dumb question, but aren't the tendered routes basically ran by TFWM, is there any musts that the 25 must follow route wise etc

The contract specifies the route and timetable, unless an 'alternative' bid is proposed and accepted. 

In a sense, these TfWM tendered contracts are 'diet franchising' - the main difference being that operators collect all revenue, and thus the subsidy received is just a contribution towards the cost of providing that service. In the proposed franchise model, the contract price will cover all operating costs and allow a small profit margin, as TfWM will be collecting all the fare revenues.

[Westy]

Is it still the Sunday service that's tendered on the Wolves 25?

[Rachvince53]

Is it still the Sunday service that's tendered on the Wolves 25?

I believe that is still the case, yes.

[keyy927]

History Of 98's and 99's

98
City-Kingstanding (Limited Stop)
City-Bordesley Green-Lea Hall-Chelmsley-Marston Green
Chelmsley Hopper (extended to and from Solihull for a short time
Sheldon-Ward End (later extended to ASDA Small Heath to replacing 28S)
Ward End-Small Heath (replacing 24 or 28A)
City-QE-Northfield-Rednal-Rubery

99
City-Rubery (Limited Stop)
City-Bordesley Green-Lea Hall-Bacons End-Chelmsley Wood North (City section withdrawn 1986, re-instated via Small Heath in 1989.
Birmingham-Halesowen-Merry Hill (replacing daytime 139's)
Acocks Green (not so sure)- Lea Village

There may be more !

the city centre - rubery great park 98 was a one of a kind bus, i think maybe the only one i never had a problem with