The End of Worcester to Birmingham 144 !!

Bus and Coach operations, new or changed services and timetables for First Midland Red Buses Limited or its predecessor, Midland Red West Limited.
WR1st
Posts: 56
Joined: 17:04 Monday 4th July 2016

Re: The End of Worcester to Birmingham 144 !!

Post by WR1st » 17:40 Friday 29th April 2022

Monday to Friday running cards
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WR1st
Posts: 56
Joined: 17:04 Monday 4th July 2016

Re: The End of Worcester to Birmingham 144 !!

Post by WR1st » 17:42 Friday 29th April 2022

Saturday running cards
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DC54
Posts: 36
Joined: 12:40 Sunday 7th August 2016
Location: Dudley

Re: The End of Worcester to Birmingham 144 !!

Post by DC54 » 17:58 Friday 29th April 2022

AdamH wrote:
17:07 Friday 29th April 2022
I know this was a very short-notice contract and their commercial team have done wonders to get it ready in time, but I really hope that once the dust settles they can fix the 70-minute frequency as that is not going to work in the long run.
I think the key part of the wording is “buses will run initially run up to every 70 minutes”, which I take as something that will be reviewed over time. I just sincerely hope that once the six months come to the end…the service will not just quietly fall off the cliff, after all the media and political spotlight have moved on.

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AdamH
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Location: Worcester
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Re: The End of Worcester to Birmingham 144 !!

Post by AdamH » 18:34 Friday 29th April 2022

I would hope NatEx are proactive enough to see the potential and review the service before the six months are up. Certain operators would just sit back and take the council’s money, but I like to think NatEx are professional enough to monitor the numbers and work with the local authorty to find a solution that works.

I think that NatEx taking this on is making the best of a bad situation.

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marck
Posts: 137
Joined: 20:51 Tuesday 5th July 2016
Location: Northwick

Re: The End of Worcester to Birmingham 144 !!

Post by marck » 23:03 Friday 29th April 2022

Hopefully national express's entering Bromsgrove might get them to consider heading Futher south down to Worcester, perhaps even open an outstation or even run some city services! One can dream though!

Adam V
Posts: 104
Joined: 15:28 Saturday 16th July 2016

Re: The End of Worcester to Birmingham 144 !!

Post by Adam V » 07:01 Saturday 30th April 2022

I'm also pleased to see that the usual range of NXWM tickets are usable on the 144A. I use the £4 Daysaver a lot and I think it represents excellent value for money.

Bit of a dream probably, but I'd love NXWM to take over the entire 144 route and turn it into a Platinum route. The 144 is such a prestigious route and deserves a decent operator with decent vehicles on it.

DC54
Posts: 36
Joined: 12:40 Sunday 7th August 2016
Location: Dudley

Re: The End of Worcester to Birmingham 144 !!

Post by DC54 » 07:44 Saturday 30th April 2022

I think this is quite a statement on NXWM’s service update section…

“The service will initially run up to every 70 minutes whilst we fully integrate it into our network and work with Worcester(shire) County Council on plans to operate a more frequent service.”

https://nxbus.co.uk/west-midlands/servi ... d-may-2022

Feels like once things settle, incorporation onto the existing Bristol Road services could be on the cards with WCC subsidising the Worcestershire section. The extension of the NXWM passes is definitely encouraging and I think will prove popular, but it depends on how it’s publicised.

But fair play to WCC in pulling this out of the bag…when it looked like the Catshill curtailing was definitely going to happen.

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AdamH
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Re: The End of Worcester to Birmingham 144 !!

Post by AdamH » 07:49 Saturday 30th April 2022

While WCC have been quick to take credit for this, I understand that Centro are also helping. They are just more modest about it!

Adam V
Posts: 104
Joined: 15:28 Saturday 16th July 2016

Re: The End of Worcester to Birmingham 144 !!

Post by Adam V » 08:03 Saturday 30th April 2022

Yes, someone I know who works for Centro / Transport for West Midlands mentioned they have had considerable involvement in this. I've no knowledge of figures though.
Last edited by Adam V on 08:08 Saturday 30th April 2022, edited 1 time in total.

Adam V
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Re: The End of Worcester to Birmingham 144 !!

Post by Adam V » 08:07 Saturday 30th April 2022

I wonder how seriously it was discussed as to if First could have least ran to Longbridge with subsidy and terminate at the Longridge Island or Rail Station. Would have saved a lot of hassle. But money talks I suppose.

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