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Post by Jack on Jun 4, 2012 23:19:24 GMT
I recently took 3 trips up to Birmingham using the Chiltern 50p return deal. It really is a wonderful place, although it does feel exactly like being in London. If you like tridents, then this is the place for you! The single deck fleet is certainly more interesting! Was nice not to see a single E200 on my trips around the town! The services appeared to be very well run and you can get a unlimited travel ticket for £3.70 which is a bargain if you ask me! Certainly interesting to see 2 or 3 different operators running one route with different buses though!
Have any of you experienced the National Express West Midlands seen? What did you think of the buses and service?
Anyway I thought I could also share a few clips I recorded whilst I was there (When I get around to uploading them!!)
The first clip is a video of Route 17 which runs from Birmingham - Tile Cross. Would you like these buses on the streets on London?
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Post by snoggle on Jun 6, 2012 10:47:10 GMT
I recently took 3 trips up to Birmingham using the Chiltern 50p return deal. It really is a wonderful place, although it does feel exactly like being in London. If you like tridents, then this is the place for you! The single deck fleet is certainly more interesting! Was nice not to see a single E200 on my trips around the town! The services appeared to be very well run and you can get a unlimited travel ticket for £3.70 which is a bargain if you ask me! Certainly interesting to see 2 or 3 different operators running one route with different buses though! Have any of you experienced the National Express West Midlands seen? What did you think of the buses and service? Anyway I thought I could also share a few clips I recorded whilst I was there (When I get around to uploading them!!) The first clip is a video of Route 17 which runs from Birmingham - Tile Cross. Would you like these buses on the streets on London? I've not used NXWM in recent years but have in the past. The problem I have is the route network doesn't seem terribly logical when you try to get between key towns in the West Midlands area. Frequent services never quite go the whole way so you have to change or take a "round the houses" hourly bus if you don't want to change. I suppose what is logical to me doesn't reflect years and years of running local buses but it didn't make it easy to get around! Certain corridors are frequent and get the good buses - i.e. those with competitors on them. Other parts of the network are left to rot with ancient buses held together with tape and string. It's a bit better now as NXWM have ordered a lot of newer single decks and some double decks but some of the vehicles are a disgrace for such a hugely profitable business. Some of the competitors are also an utter disgrace too but that's not NXWM's issue. Centro produce decent maps and leaflets which is a plus and an aid to getting round the West Midlands and the integrated day tickets are good. I strongly dislike the fact that photography is apparently banned in their bus stations but there are no notices and no information about this on their website. I now won't visit the West Midlands because of the appalling treatment I had from Centro staff last time I did visit. Seems you had a better time than I did. How was the Chiltern Trains service?
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Post by Jack on Jun 8, 2012 10:32:29 GMT
I recently took 3 trips up to Birmingham using the Chiltern 50p return deal. It really is a wonderful place, although it does feel exactly like being in London. If you like tridents, then this is the place for you! The single deck fleet is certainly more interesting! Was nice not to see a single E200 on my trips around the town! The services appeared to be very well run and you can get a unlimited travel ticket for £3.70 which is a bargain if you ask me! Certainly interesting to see 2 or 3 different operators running one route with different buses though! Have any of you experienced the National Express West Midlands seen? What did you think of the buses and service? Anyway I thought I could also share a few clips I recorded whilst I was there (When I get around to uploading them!!) The first clip is a video of Route 17 which runs from Birmingham - Tile Cross. Would you like these buses on the streets on London? I've not used NXWM in recent years but have in the past. The problem I have is the route network doesn't seem terribly logical when you try to get between key towns in the West Midlands area. Frequent services never quite go the whole way so you have to change or take a "round the houses" hourly bus if you don't want to change. I suppose what is logical to me doesn't reflect years and years of running local buses but it didn't make it easy to get around! Certain corridors are frequent and get the good buses - i.e. those with competitors on them. Other parts of the network are left to rot with ancient buses held together with tape and string. It's a bit better now as NXWM have ordered a lot of newer single decks and some double decks but some of the vehicles are a disgrace for such a hugely profitable business. Some of the competitors are also an utter disgrace too but that's not NXWM's issue. Centro produce decent maps and leaflets which is a plus and an aid to getting round the West Midlands and the integrated day tickets are good. I strongly dislike the fact that photography is apparently banned in their bus stations but there are no notices and no information about this on their website. I now won't visit the West Midlands because of the appalling treatment I had from Centro staff last time I did visit. Seems you had a better time than I did. How was the Chiltern Trains service? The train service was good enough I suppose. Only takes around 1 hour and 40 mins althought some trains had faulty air con systems and on one occassion we arrived 45 minutes late! I did like Birmingham a lot actually and would go back again. At least everything is not red like London Anyways here is another short video that I took
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Post by Jack on Jun 9, 2012 22:19:14 GMT
Bendy Time
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Post by Jack on Jun 10, 2012 12:39:21 GMT
Good Driver!
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Post by twobellstogo on Jun 10, 2012 17:59:17 GMT
I do wish NXWM would revert to a blue-based livery though... ;D
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Post by Jack on Jun 11, 2012 21:11:09 GMT
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