Line 33 Gets the ’Star’ Treatment

Award winning partnership Showcase route, Line 33, is all set to get the ’star’ treatment - and Travel West Midlands’ prediction that buses are the transport of the future is certainly coming true. Michael Cashman, MEP, launching the buses into service at Perry Barr Greyhound Stadium, said: "Bright modern buses for a bright modern transport system. A wonderful development for the West Midlands and investment for the future."To commemorate the introduction of the new buses onto the route which runs between Birmingham City Centre, Perry Barr and Pheasey, Travel West Midlands is offering complimentary travel on Line 33 to a 1,000 passengers on 9th July 2003. The special Daysaver Tickets will be randomly door-dropped along the route the week before that date.Fourteen brand new Volvo Wrightbus Eclipse Gemini buses have been designed to put all other modes of transport in the shade. Representing an investment of £2 million the buses benefit from an easy access facility allowing for easier boarding, state-of-the-art CCTV equipment and environmentally friendly Euro III engines. Each of the buses will be ’branded’ with a sign of the zodiac for easy identification.Brian Jackson, Travel West Midlands’ Chief Executive, said: "The introduction of double decks should further boost growth on the route and enhance the service which already benefits from all the usual Showcase features - state-of-the-art bus shelters and real time information provided by Centro and bus priority measures provided by Birmingham City Council."Mike Ball, Managing Director of Volvo Bus Ltd, said: "I am delighted that Travel West Midlands have shown their confidence in the Volvo B7TL with the Gemini body with their recent order of 60 vehicles. Volvo and Wrightbus have been working with TWM for many years and have already supplied many vehicles. These ultra-modern buses will be a credit to the fleet and to the Showcase route in terms of passenger comfort and low emissions!"NOTES 1 - Travel West Midlands has ordered 60 Volvo Wrightbus Gemini Eclipse easy access buses, an investment of £9 million in 2003, bringing its total investment to £120 million in over 1,000 new easy access buses for the region2 - The 33 route was upgraded in February 1997 and was one of the region’s first Showcase routes. It benefited from brand new easy access Volvo B10L Wright’s Liberator single deck buses and dedicated bus drivers (provided by Travel West Midlands), new bus shelters with real time information (provided by Centro) and kassel kerbs, a bus lane in Newtown and bus priority measures at Wellhead Lane, Warren Farm and High Street, Aston (provided by Birmingham City Council). All the new buses are fitted with the latest Euro III environmentally friendly engines, have an easy access facility which allows for easier boarding for passengers, improved heating, lighting and ventilation and CCTV equipment3 - Line 33 has won three awards - the first in March 1997 when the Institution of Civil Engineers awarded partners an Innovation Award, the second in November 1997 at the Bus Industry Awards in the Infrastructure category, the third in 1998 when partners were presented with a Government Clear Zone Award4 - The new double deck buses are based on the Volvo B7TL chassis and are Wrightbus Eclipse Gemini double decks built in Ballymena, Northern Ireland5 - The Eclipse Gemini uses the Wright Group’s patented Aluminique structure which combines strength and durability with low weight - each bus costs £150,0006 - Each new bus has a designated buggy zone, a low platform entrance which meets the kerb and space for one wheelchair

Published 19th June 2003