From April 1983, “Midland Express†Service X72 and Service X73 ran between Worcester, Upton-upon-Severn, Tewkesbury, Gloucester, and Bristol, as a join operation between Midland Red (West) Limited and Bristol Omnibus Company Limited.
Service X72 operated over the same route as Service 372, direct along the A38 between Worcester and Gloucester, and likewise Service X73 followed the Service 373 which diverted around certain villages between Upton-upon-Severn and Tewkesbury. From Gloucester, both Service X72 and Service 373 then continuing to Bristol as a Limited Stop service.
“Midland Express†Service X72 and Service X73 were short-lived and were withdrawn by the end of 1983.
New “Midland Express†Service X73 is introduced by Midland Red (West) Limited on Sunday 27th October 1985, running daily between Wolverhampton, Stourbridge, Kidderminster, Worcester, Gloucester and Bristol. Two return journeys were provided to Bristol, with an additional short-working journey on Fridays and Saturdays. The service was interworked with Service 303 between Worcester and Wolverhampton, calling at all stops between Worcester and Stourbridge but running to a “Limited Stop†schedule between Bristol and Worcester, and between Stourbridge and Wolverhampton.
The only change to the route came on Saturday 8th March 1986 when both Service X73 and Service 303 were diverted to run via Aggborough (Hoo Road) in Kidderminster. The service was withdrawn on Friday 29th August 1986.
| X | 7 | 3 |
| October | 1985 | Wolverhampton ↔ Worcester ↔ Gloucester ↔ Bristol |
On Sunday 1st May 1988, Midland Red West extended a number of their Service 372 and Service 373 journeys between Worcester, Upton-upon-Severn and Gloucester, to Birmingham City Centre via the M5 Motorway as Service X73 and Service X74.
Between Birmingham and Worcester, Service X73 ran via Bearwood, the M5 Motorway, Droitwich Spa, and Fernhill Heath, following the same route as Service X43 at that time. Service X74 ran via Selly Oak, Northfield, the M5 Motorway, Droitwich Spa and Fernhill Heath along the Service X44 route. Journeys that were not extended to Birmingham continued to operate as Service 372 and Service 373.
The Birmingham extension was short-lived and withdrawn just four-months later, after the end of operations on Saturday 3rd September 1988. The Worcester to Gloucester section of the route was replaced by additional Service 372 and Service 373 journeys, timed to connect at Worcester with Service X43 and Service X44 journeys to Birmingham.
| X | 7 | 3 |
| New May | 1988 | Birmingham ↔ Worcester ↔ Tewkesbury ↔ Gloucester | Withdrawn Sep 1988 |