Thousands of Brummies travel around Birmingham on buses each day. It’s by far the most popular form of public transport in the city.
And with Birmingham City Council pushing for a car-free city centre in the coming years, buses are going to become even more important.
National Express West Midlands runs 93% of the buses in Birmingham and the West Midlands. Bus routes are also served by Arriva, Diamond Buses and Kevs Coaches.
There are double decker and single decker buses, sprint priority corridors, electric buses and hydrogen buses. Many people have praised the bus services in our city. But some have raised concerns about them.
Here are the best and worst bus services in Birmingham, according to our readers:
National Express West Midlands runs 93% of the buses in Birmingham and the West Midlands. Bus routes are also served by Arriva, Diamond Buses and Kevs Coaches.
5. Best No. 97 - Birmingham - Chelmsley Wood
Taking passengers through Bordesley Green, Heartlands Hospital & Meadway bus stops, this also goes via Stechford. It was chosen as one of the best services by a reader, who said: “97 is brilliant.”
6. Worst No. 11 - Birmingham Outer Circle
This 27-mile NXWM route goes clockwise and anti-clockwise circumnavigating Birmingham and is divided into 11A and 11C. The 11A is the anticlockwise route that travels via via Erdington, Perry Barr, Bearwood, Harborne, Kings Heath & Acocks Green. The 11C is the clockwise route via Kings Heath, Cotteridge, Harborne, Perry Barr, Erdington & Acocks Green. Opinion on this is divided as people also dislike this route. One BirminghamWorld reader said: “The number 11 circular route , that now isnt circular its half circular you have to get the off 11 at acocks green and get back on the 11 at accock green to continue your journey it ridiculous!”
7. Worst No.17 - Birmingham - Tile Cross
This NXWM bus routes goes via Small Heath, Hob Moor Road, Yardley & Garretts Green. Many readers said it was one of the worst services. One person said: “Have waited over an hour many times for these.”
8. Worst No. 4A - Birmingham - Solihull
This NXWM bus route through Sparkbrook, Tyseley, Acocks Green, Gospel Oak & Shirley was said to be one of the worst previously but has improved slightly. One reader said: “The No4A into Solihull was truly dreadful at one stage. Has improved slightly even with the hold up on the Warwick Road by Tyseley.”
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