National express West Midlands

[WM Bus]

49 used to have its layover at the Orthpaedic Hospital. This was changed several years ago and had a very tight 7 mins turn around in Northfield until it was cut back to Rubery Great Park last year, the 27 covering that part of the 49. There have been lots of changes in that area over the years and they just can’t seem to get it right!

49 went to Weoley Castle around 2013/2014 as well.
Replaced by 29A to Northfield probably, 29A then replaced by 29 when the 48 was rerouted to Northfield, 29 repalced by 27 to Harborne, 27 replaced by 76.
The Swarthmore Rd route changes regularly and has seen periods of no NX service, 29, 10S and 48 via Hawkesley, 48 via Gibbins Road serving it and now soon back to the previously withdrawn 2015 version of it (also reserving withdrawn Gibbins Road).

Notable that both 98/99 from 2015 are now gone and there succeeding replacements on the QE - outer terminus section of the route 20/19 will both no longer run into the City Centre. With these latest changes.

 

[adrock1976]

49 went to Weoley Castle around 2013/2014 as well.
Replaced by 29A to Northfield probably, 29A then replaced by 29 when the 48 was rerouted to Northfield, 29 repalced by 27 to Harborne, 27 replaced by 76.
The Swarthmore Rd route changes regularly and has seen periods of no NX service, 29, 10S and 48 via Hawkesley, 48 via Gibbins Road serving it and now soon back to the previously withdrawn 2015 version of it (also reserving withdrawn Gibbins Road).

Notable that both 98/99 from 2015 are now gone and there succeeding replacements on the QE - outer terminus section of the route 20/19 will both no longer run into the City Centre. With these latest changes.

The version of the 29/29A I can remember is the Birmingham Colmore Row - Northfield that ran via Five Ways, Harborne (from Birmingham via Vivian Road, to Birmingham via Duke of York), Harborne Park Road to The Lazy Fox, come back on itself slightly owing to the dual carriageway, Quinton Road, Stonehouse Hill, Barnes Hill, Alwold Road, Beckbury Road, Castle Road, Weoley Castle Square, Somerford Road, Shenley Lane, Bell Hill to the back of The Bell.

The short lived 29A during the daytime continued from the back of The Bell along Church Road, Maas Road, Chatham Road to Bristol Road at The Black Horse, returning via Bristol Road to The Bell.

This was in the days when the garage at Quinton operated the route, and this version of the 29A ran at some point in the first half of the 1990s.

Regarding Swarthmore Road, I vaguely recall there being a 44 (Birmingham - Turves Green?) that ran along it during the daytime in the mid 1990s. I do not remember who operated it, but it eventually became part of West Midlands Travel and operated with the Leyland National single deck buses that transferred either to Birmingham Central or Yardley Wood. The livery was a light blue.

 

[Typhoon]

Regarding Swarthmore Road, I vaguely recall there being a 44 (Birmingham - Turves Green?) that ran along it during the daytime in the mid 1990s. I do not remember who operated it, but it eventually became part of West Midlands Travel and operated with the Leyland National single deck buses that transferred either to Birmingham Central or Yardley Wood. The livery was a light blue.

It wasn't Central Liner was it? (I think they used the same name as the coaching ops,) Out of Miller Street (which was otherwise underused)? When they were trying to compete with Yourbus (and a few other interlopers) by having a low cost network. I think they just used quite dated Nationals for bus operation but the livery looked smart. Don't know whether it went to Turves Green.

 

[adrock1976]

It wasn't Central Liner was it? (I think they used the same name as the coaching ops,) Out of Miller Street (which was otherwise underused)? When they were trying to compete with Yourbus (and a few other interlopers) by having a low cost network. I think they just used quite dated Nationals for bus operation but the livery looked smart. Don't know whether it went to Turves Green.

I think the name of Central Liner rings a bell with me.

I also remember seeing some timetable leaflets of Central Liner of a couple of local bus services as well as the London Liner.

 

[Typhoon]

Regarding Swarthmore Road, I vaguely recall there being a 44 (Birmingham - Turves Green?) that ran along it during the daytime in the mid 1990s. I do not remember who operated it, but it eventually became part of West Midlands Travel and operated with the Leyland National single deck buses that transferred either to Birmingham Central or Yardley Wood. The livery was a light blue.

This wouldn't be the type of vehicle?

Central Liner 1994 - Blue Nationals, Birmingham | Blue Leyla… | Flickr

It looks a shade darker than I remember (although the vehicles don't seem to have in contact with clean water for some time); but your memory seems to have held up pretty well for a time over a quarter of a century ago), year tick, route 44 tick, destination a few yards out (it may well have gone along Turves Green (Road?)). I seem to remember that Central Liner buses went all round the houses, calling at otherwise unserved locations. After Northfield, it might have served some roads just off the Bristol Road (possibly The Roundabout).

I think the name of Central Liner rings a bell with me.

I also remember seeing some timetable leaflets of Central Liner of a couple of local bus services as well as the London Liner.

I'd forgotten the alternative to National Express was called London Liner. Searching for that I've found:

Central Coaches Was Being Run Down At This Point With The Remaining Bus Services Split Between Hockley And Perry Barr June 1994​

which is at London Liner MCW 400GT Metroliner | The Second Of The Two Me… | Flickr

I wish I had looked here yesterday, buses on more routes than I can remember, would have saved a lot of head-scratching.

 

[WM Bus]

Changes should have taken place yesterday. But all the buses are still going round displaying 55 still - 4800, 4803, 4937, 4904, 4496. And the flags/timetables on all the bus stops still say 55. At least its only the number that has changed and not the route.
The Platinums are also still going around advertising the withdrawn X20 route as well.
And 4928 on the 94 in Birmingham says its "proudly serving the city of Wolverhampton" on it.

Also the Birmingham to Chelmsley Wood via Ward End 94/95 routes are now run by buses from both BC/PB on both routes.

 

[Typhoon]

Wolverhampton are very proud of being a city now that they insist on it being used in their name so in the list of metropolitan councils in the West Midlands they are now listed second after Birmingham and ahead of Coventry in alphabetical order.

Maybe it is time for the City of Coventry to pull rank. After all, it is larger (both in population and area), was a city long before Wolverhampton*, has had two cathedrals (no thanks, Adolf) and a minor planet named after it!.


* Wolverhampton was granted city status in 2000; Coventry has had a cathedral since the 14th century. At the time "cities were settlements with cathedrals" according to the House of Commons Library.
Information from: What makes a city? (parliament.uk)

 

[option]

Regarding Swarthmore Road, I vaguely recall there being a 44 (Birmingham - Turves Green?) that ran along it during the daytime in the mid 1990s. I do not remember who operated it, but it eventually became part of West Midlands Travel and operated with the Leyland National single deck buses that transferred either to Birmingham Central or Yardley Wood. The livery was a light blue.

The 44 was a useful route for that part of Bournville, as it's quite a trek to the Bristol Rd or Weoley Castle.
Used to use midi-buses like this http://wmbusphotos.com/NXWM/gonebatches/Metroriders/621.html

 

[DavidGrain]

I think the name of Central Liner rings a bell with me.

I also remember seeing some timetable leaflets of Central Liner of a couple of local bus services as well as the London Liner.

As I recall it the Central names were:

• London Liner was the fast service to London which I took many times in preference to Midland Red/National Express. Originally this was a joint service with London Transport but LT pulled out.
• Central Liner was the ordinary coaching brand name.
• Central Connect was a sort of 'budget' operation which tried out some routes around some of the estates.

All of these were actually brand names for Travel West Midlands and were discontinued when TWM became National Express West Midlands.

 

[WM Bus]

Travelshops are closing with the rise in online purchasing.
Bus station travel shops axed by National Express - Birmingham Live (birminghammail.co.uk)

National Express is to close the shops at bus stations in Dudley, Walsall and West Bromwich, as well as another one on Corporation Street, Birmingham, at the end of October
National Express said fewer people were visiting the shops due to the rise in online purchasing. The pandemic has "accelerated" this change, the company said.

 

[Typhoon]

Travelshops are closing with the rise in online purchasing.
Bus station travel shops axed by National Express - Birmingham Live (birminghammail.co.uk)

Interesting comment in that article (credit to Sheffielddave): Commonwealth games next year, visitors will need to know how to get about. I know they will have extra assistants around, but they need to have the specialist knowledge that the specialist staff would have. Couldn't they have waiting for the Birmingham one?

I note on the www.tfwm.org.uk website that there is also a travel centre at Pool Meadow (Cov), I assume that is closing, and a tfwm one in Wolverhampton. Is that still open?

 

[Deerfold]

Does anyone know what time their Day and Evening tickets expire?

I can't find anything on their app or website.

I've asked on Twitter twice. The first time I was referred to a webpage that did not contain the information and the second time i was ignored.

I'll be staying near the route of the X1 which runs 24 hours a day.

EDIT: Several hours after my 3rd request they've let me know it's 0200.

 

[Wyrleybart]

Not very knowledgeable on this so thought I would ask on here.

AIUI National Express acquired several batches of hybrid drive double deck buses
BX61 LHC - BX61 LHL designated ALX400H as NXWM fleet numbers 5401-5400
BX13 JOA-- BX13 JRO same designation and NXWM fleet numbers 5410-5421
SP13 BRX - SP13 BTE same designation and NXWM fleet numbers 5422-5430
BX61 LHM - BX61 LHW Designated Volvo B5LH NXWM fleet numbers 5501-5509
BX13 JNF - BX13 JNZ same as above and NXWM fleet numbers 5510-5518

I recall many of these being delivered new to Birmingham and Wolverhampton in a distinctive green and white livery, although I assume the batch 5422-5430 had been sent down from Dundee.

The question I have is what has been done to these. Have they been converted to standard transmission diesel buses because they sound the same, wheras I would expect hynrids to have a different power train.

Welcome any information., and thanks in advance

 

[EnviroExplorer]

Not very knowledgeable on this so thought I would ask on here.

AIUI National Express acquired several batches of hybrid drive double deck buses
BX61 LHC - BX61 LHL designated ALX400H as NXWM fleet numbers 5401-5400
BX13 JOA-- BX13 JRO same designation and NXWM fleet numbers 5410-5421
SP13 BRX - SP13 BTE same designation and NXWM fleet numbers 5422-5430
BX61 LHM - BX61 LHW Designated Volvo B5LH NXWM fleet numbers 5501-5509
BX13 JNF - BX13 JNZ same as above and NXWM fleet numbers 5510-5518

I recall many of these being delivered new to Birmingham and Wolverhampton in a distinctive green and white livery, although I assume the batch 5422-5430 had been sent down from Dundee.

The question I have is what has been done to these. Have they been converted to standard transmission diesel buses because they sound the same, wheras I would expect hynrids to have a different power train.

Welcome any information., and thanks in advance

A few of them have been converted to standard transmission diesel buses yes.
5402 and 5412 have in simple terms had a ZF gearbox coupled to their existing 4 cylinder Cummins engines, with the hybrid system removed. 5403 and 5405 are currently undergoing the same treatment, and this is done at East Yorkshire’s Scarborough depot (who’ve done these conversions for other operators as well as their own examples.)

I believe they are having them sent for conversion as and when the batteries etc are deemed unviable to operate.

5409 was away at Paul Clark Services in Wootton Bassett for a while and is a bit of an oddball. They managed to fit a 6 cylinder engine to this one in place of the existing 4 cylinder one (though took many years to do so!) and it’s also had ZF transmission fitted. This one is now mechanically the same as NXWM’s standard Enviro 400s (4831-4995 range).

As for the Volvo B5LHs, those haven’t been formerly converted to straight diesel, though most seem to spend all their time in diesel mode due to the depleted batteries. Only one such bus in the country has had the hybrid system removed, being a Go North East example that’s now classed a B5L (also converted by Scarborough depot).

 

[Wyrleybart]

That is really great info "EE". Thanks very much. Those hybrids stood out because of the green "leaves design" going past where I work in Priory Queensway - now very anonymous in standard maroon.
It also opens up a load more questions for me like, you mention that the "standard" Enviros are from 4831. I take it the 47xx Enviros are different then ?
Thanks again

 

[EnviroExplorer]

That is really great info "EE". Thanks very much. Those hybrids stood out because of the green "leaves design" going past where I work in Priory Queensway - now very anonymous in standard maroon.
It also opens up a load more questions for me like, you mention that the "standard" Enviros are from 4831. I take it the 47xx Enviros are different then ?
Thanks again

No worries, glad I could help.

The E400s from 4831 are more closely related to the Hybrids being of Euro 5 spec, and are designated ‘E40D’ by chassis. The ones below, so 4718-4830, have some subtle differences, as they were built to Euro 4 spec. The main thing externally is the light clusters, and these are designated ‘Trident 2’ by chassis.

 

[DavidGrain]

I rode on one of the Hybrids in the early days from Harborne into the city centre and quite frankly, I did not find it any different from the diesel buses whereas in Oxford, I do notice when the bus is running on electric power.

 

[317 forever]

I saw plenty of Tridents still in service in Walsall & Wolverhampton yesterday. I reckon there are more in those towns than Stagecoach have anywhere.

I was amused by buses proclaiming that National Express West Midlands proudly serving the City of Wolverhampton since 1900.

Wolverhampton has only been a city around 2000, and National Express was not even founded until 1972!

 

[bussnapperwm]

I saw plenty of Tridents still in service in Walsall & Wolverhampton yesterday. I reckon there are more in those towns than Stagecoach have anywhere.

I was amused by buses proclaiming that National Express West Midlands proudly serving the City of Wolverhampton since 1900.

Wolverhampton has only been a city around 2000, and National Express was not even founded until 1972!

Yeah, but technically they are the successors of Wolverhampton Corporation Transport, which was acquired by the PTE and merged into the PTE ops

 

[EnviroExplorer]

I saw plenty of Tridents still in service in Walsall & Wolverhampton yesterday. I reckon there are more in those towns than Stagecoach have anywhere.

I was amused by buses proclaiming that National Express West Midlands proudly serving the City of Wolverhampton since 1900.

Wolverhampton has only been a city around 2000, and National Express was not even founded until 1972!

Indeed you’re right to think that. There’s circa 180 Tridents across five depots (Two in Birmingham, Coventry, Walsall and Wolverhampton). Stagecoach’s largest concentration is Northampton with about 25.

There are a few occurrences of Wolverhampton lettered Enviro 400s in use solely in Birmingham, which will make for some interesting photos to look back on I think !

 

[317 forever]

Indeed you’re right to think that. There’s circa 180 Tridents across five depots (Two in Birmingham, Coventry, Walsall and Wolverhampton). Stagecoach’s largest concentration is Northampton with about 25.

There are a few occurrences of Wolverhampton lettered Enviro 400s in use solely in Birmingham, which will make for some interesting photos to look back on I think !

Given that National Express have committed against purchasing any more diesel buses, replacing these and similar vintage Volvo B7TL - Geminis could provide an early influx of electric or hydrogen buses. Mind you, these may well be replaced at least indirectly by buses for Sprint corridors or through Coventry due to go all electric.

 

[cnjb8]

Given that National Express have committed against purchasing any more diesel buses, replacing these and similar vintage Volvo B7TL - Geminis could provide an early influx of electric or hydrogen buses. Mind you, these may well be replaced at least indirectly by buses for Sprint corridors or through Coventry due to go all electric.

They don’t really have a choice, with such a big fleet they need to be constantly buying new buses

 

[Deerfold]

They don’t really have a choice, with such a big fleet they need to be constantly buying new buses

They don't have to be diesel.

 

[EuroRail]

The version of the 29/29A I can remember is the Birmingham Colmore Row - Northfield that ran via Five Ways, Harborne (from Birmingham via Vivian Road, to Birmingham via Duke of York), Harborne Park Road to The Lazy Fox, come back on itself slightly owing to the dual carriageway, Quinton Road, Stonehouse Hill, Barnes Hill, Alwold Road, Beckbury Road, Castle Road, Weoley Castle Square, Somerford Road, Shenley Lane, Bell Hill to the back of The Bell.

The short lived 29A during the daytime continued from the back of The Bell along Church Road, Maas Road, Chatham Road to Bristol Road at The Black Horse, returning via Bristol Road to The Bell.

This was in the days when the garage at Quinton operated the route, and this version of the 29A ran at some point in the first half of the 1990s.

Regarding Swarthmore Road, I vaguely recall there being a 44 (Birmingham - Turves Green?) that ran along it during the daytime in the mid 1990s. I do not remember who operated it, but it eventually became part of West Midlands Travel and operated with the Leyland National single deck buses that transferred either to Birmingham Central or Yardley Wood. The livery was a light blue.

It's interesting reading this thread and seeing how route numbers have been reused over the years. My memory of using the 29 and 29A services was as a boy, visiting my grandmother who lived in Robin Hood Lane, Hall Green. We regularly caught either the 29 (via Highfield Road) or the 29A to go and see her. The 29A went, as far as I can remember, from Baldwins Lane to Pheasey.
Nigel

 

[WM Bus]

Given that National Express have committed against purchasing any more diesel buses, replacing these and similar vintage Volvo B7TL - Geminis could provide an early influx of electric or hydrogen buses. Mind you, these may well be replaced at least indirectly by buses for Sprint corridors or through Coventry due to go all electric.

There are also nearly 20 year old B7TL ALX400 still opearting from Acocks Green presently. 4285 was on the Eastern 11 workings from Acocks Green to Perry Barr via Yardley, Ward End, Erdington today. Some of these will probably likely see 2022 in service I guess as well, as only 20 new buses this year it seems. 16 still survive at Acocks Green.
And West Bromwich have some as well.

 

[317 forever]

There are also nearly 20 year old B7TL ALX400 still opearting from Acocks Green presently. 4285 was on the Eastern 11 workings from Acocks Green to Perry Barr via Yardley, Ward End, Erdington today. Some of these will probably likely see 2022 in service I guess as well, as only 20 new buses this year it seems. 16 still survive at Acocks Green.
And West Bromwich have some as well.

So yes, all the more old double-deckers still needing replacing

 

[GusB]

This may be of interest to some:

NX West Mids and Coventry offer 50% off bus tickets - CBW

National Express is offering bus customers a ‘twixmas gift’ between Christmas and New Year, with half-price day tickets – priced at £2 instead of the usual £4 – for the holiday period. Between 26 December [...]

cbwmagazine.com

National Express is offering bus customers a ‘twixmas gift’ between Christmas and New Year, with half-price day tickets – priced at £2 instead of the usual £4 – for the holiday period.

Between 26 December and 2 January, anyone over 16 can buy a day saver bus ticket in the operator’s app and get 50% off. The half-price tickets are valid for unlimited travel on all National Express West Midlands and National Express Coventry buses on any day between 27 December and 3 January.

Chris Gibbens, Commercial Director of National Express West MIdlands, said: “If you’d like a change from sitting in front of the TV all week, there are all sorts of things to do in the post-Christmas holiday period. You can go to the Christmas sales, take back that (unusual) unexpected present, or find the perfect New Year’s Eve outfit. Maybe you want to get out of the house to avoid the relatives. Or, if you’re still actually enjoying the company of your extended family, they can sign up in the app with a guest account, get these 50% off tickets – and then you can take them with you into town. And we know that in that week, nobody is ever sure what day it is. So after you’ve bought your half-price ticket, you just activate it whenever you want to travel.”

 

[DavidGrain]

This may be of interest to some:

NX West Mids and Coventry offer 50% off bus tickets - CBW

National Express is offering bus customers a ‘twixmas gift’ between Christmas and New Year, with half-price day tickets – priced at £2 instead of the usual £4 – for the holiday period. Between 26 December [...]

cbwmagazine.com

Thank you for that information. In my case, it will not be necessary as I have a Senior Bus Pass but I am sure there are those on here who might find it useful.

 

[father_jack]

6947 on the Centre in Bristol today. Last tracked on bus times Tuesday 21st. https://bustimes.org/vehicles/278570

 

[G760XRE]

Noted ex NXWM Mk2 Metrobus 3022 F22XOF in all over pink at a yard in Thornbury earlier this week. Looks to be out of use. Was driving so didn't get a shot but it turns out it can be seen on Google Streetview, see attached