Bristol Road gets the 'X Factor' with new eXpress buses
Bristol Road buses will soon have the ‘X Factor’ thanks to new eXpress services being launched by National Express West Midlands.
- The new X62 and X64 will offer faster, limited stop services between the city centre and South Birmingham. Launching on 25 July, they will feature a team of 36 dedicated drivers and a Route Manager to deliver the highest standards of travel and customer care.
- X62 will run between Rednal, Northfield, Longbridge and the city centre every 20 minutes throughout the day. The route will extend into Rubery (Great Park) via Leach Green Lane giving the area a brand new fast link to the city centre.
- X64 will run between Bangham Pit, Weoley Castle, Selly Oak and the city centre every 20 minutes throughout the day. It will also provide new city centre links for residents in the Ley Hill and Merritts Brook areas. Both services will combine to provide a service every 10 minutes between City Centre and Selly Oak.
- Services X62 and X64 are in addition to the frequent 61 and 63 services already operating along the Bristol Road. The new routes, which are being introduced in partnership with transport authority Centro. as part of the west Birmingham bus network review, will be operated by a fleet of distinctive single deck buses and will be closely monitored using satellite tracking to maintain a reliable timetable- even during heavy traffic. All windows will have a special anti graffiti film to reduce vandalism and CCTV is fitted throughout for passenger safety.
- The X62 and X64 will boast a range of special offers including a £10 weekly ticket and a £3 Day Return to help launch the services. The tickets can be purchased from the driver and can also be used on the 24 to make connections to Digbeth and the Markets easier. Cllr Tim Huxtable, Cabinet Member for Transport & Regeneration for Birmingham City Council and lead member for Birmingham at Centro said: "Centro, National Express West Midlands and Birmingham City Council are committed to transforming bus travel across the city by providing quick and reliable high quality services that offer an attractive alternative to the car. "The new X62 and X64 will provide passengers with exactly what they’ve told us they want - fast and regular links from several areas of west and south Birmingham straight into the city centre. I hope people living near the route take advantage of the special offer tickets to try out these new services."
Services will arrive and depart the city centre from a dedicated terminus at the Town Hall , located at the top of Hill Street, to provide easy access to Broad Street, New Street and Colmore Row. The services will also connect with the 24 at the same stop to provide a direct link to the Bull Ring Markets and Digbeth. Simon Mathieson, Area Manager for Birmingham Central, said: "We’re introducing two brand new services to provide faster connections into the city centre from south Birmingham. To help make these services a real success we’ve introduced a range of special discounted fares and have set up a dedicated email address for customer comments.
There is also a team of dedicated drivers with expert knowledge of the route, supported by a Route Manager to stay in conatct with businesses and residents along the service." The routes are the result of consultation with bus users across west and south Birmingham who requested new, fast links to the city. They form part of a wider series of changes happening on the 25 July to strengthen bus routes in the area.
The X62 will replace the current 62 between Rednal and the city centre. The X64 replaces parts of the 21. Customers are being encouraged to provide feedback and suggestions on the new services through a special dedicated email address at bristolroaddexpress@nationalexpress.com A Twitter page is also available at twitter.com/bristolrdxpress
Published 21st July 2010