All aboard Birmingham buses for timetable changes on eight routes & two new routes launching

National Express West Midlands is making changes to some bus services in the coming weeks - including new services, revised timetables and some route changes.

The changes take effect on October 22, 29 and November 5 2023. The major bus provider in the city has advised that, overall, most of the affected services only have timetable alterations to improve reliability and “ensure customers are served more efficiently”.

They added that: “A small number of services will see other changes to better meet travel patterns and maintain connectivity across the bus network.”

As there are a series of changes taking place over the coming weeks, the bus operator is encouraging customers to plan ahead and check the latest timetables before they travel.

X1 service between Birmingham and Coventry to become fully electric

From October 22, the X1 service between Birmingham and Coventry will see fully electric zero-emission double decker buses launched on the route, providing a smoother, cleaner, quieter ride for customers while helping to drive down on-road emissions between the two cities.

Timetable changes to the X1, X2, X14, 71, X21, X22, 27 and the 89

The change to electric buses coincides with timetable changes to the X1, X2, X14 and 71 from October 22. Please see the National Express West Midlands website for full details here: NXbus West Midlands

Ahead of half-term there will be some timetable changes from October 29, with route changes to the existing X21 and X22 services in Kitwell and Bartley Green. The X21 will also be extended to Merry Hill Centre on Sunday daytime.

Following the half-term break, there will be further timetable changes from November 5. The 27 service will also change to operate between Yardley Wood and Frankley only and the current number 2 service will change to serve some areas covered by the current 27, including Glenavon Road in Kings Heath. Customers travelling between Frankley and Cofton Hackett can use services 20, 20A, 49 and 63.

The route of the 89 service will change and will no longer continue to Birmingham from Cape Hill, running instead to Bearwood. Customers wishing to continue into Birmingham can use the 82 and 87 services from Cape Hill.

Full details of the service changes from 22nd and 29th October are available on National Express West Midlands’ website and information about the 5th November changes will be available from the end of this week. Details are also being posted on the company’s social media channels as well as posters on buses serving affected routes.

The new 71A, 67A and 96 bus services will start operating

Two new services will also be introduced from October 22. A new 71A bus service will begin between Chelmsley Wood and Sutton Coldfield, serving the new Amazon depot at Peddimore.

It follows National Express West Midlands’ new 67A service which was launched on October 8, providing new bus links between Birmingham and the new Amazon depot.

The region’s biggest bus operator will also begin operating the 96 service between Kingstanding and Chelmsley Wood from Monday to Saturday, serving Perry Common, Erdington, The Fort and Castle Bromwich.

What has National Express West Midlands said about the changes in its own words?

National Express West Midlands highlighted that it has continued to work closely with Transport for West Midlands to provide the right public transport network for the region, including the coordination of all these latest changes to bus services. Please note that other bus operators and local rail services may change their services at different times and in different ways. For information on other services please visit www.tfwm.org.uk.

Ed Rickard, Network Director for National Express, said: "We know that our bus services are vital lifelines for many customers and communities and we have been working closely with Transport for West Midlands to continue protecting as many services as possible across the region.

"In common with bus operators nationwide, we are seeing changes to travel patterns due to a number of lifestyle changes, including more people working from home and shopping online. This means we have to look at our network to ensure we can maintain the best bus coverage for the people of the West Midlands.

“While some routes may operate slightly differently to now, we’ve worked with Transport for West Midlands to ensure connections and alternatives remain in place, so we’d like to remind customers to please check our website www.nxbus.co.uk for the latest details.

“Our priority is to continue to build on the positive steps we are taking to improve the reliability of our services and to keep fares low, with nBus ticket and passes now providing customers with the flexibility to hop on any bus within the nBus zone for the same great price."