Birmingham City Football Club and National Express West Midlands team up to provide free match day shuttle bus travel

Birmingham City Football Club has teamed up with National Express West Midlands to offer free match day travel on dedicated shuttle buses between Birmingham city centre and the Club's stadium, St. Andrew's @ Knighthead Park.

The inaugural 1875 shuttle bus service – named after the Club’s formation year – begins on Saturday 28 September 2024, providing up to 700 football supporters with exclusive, free transport to and from the Birmingham City against Peterborough United game, kick-off at 3pm.

The free 1875 shuttle bus service will continue for each of the Blues' Men’s First Team home fixtures this season.

The exciting new partnership is a perfect match, bringing together two local, renowned organisations that share a common goal – to enhance the matchday experience for football supporters while reducing emissions and congestion around the stadium’s footprint.

The link-up means match goers can enjoy the Blues’ fantastic pre- and post-match entertainment, with National Express West Midlands’ dedicated double decker shuttle buses providing a direct, stress-free, cost-free way to get to and from the stadium.

Jonty Castle, Birmingham City's Chief Commercial and Operations Officer, said: “This new initiative is part of our ongoing transport strategy to help improve the matchday experience for supporters. 

“By offering a free, dedicated shuttle bus service it will make it easier for our supporters to get to the stadium, enjoy the pre-and post-match entertainment, while taking more cars off the road on matchday and help car parking around the ground.

“National Express West Midlands is a great partner and has significant experience in offering a similar service in Birmingham. We can’t wait to see the 1875 dropping off supporters at St. Andrew’s @ Knighthead Park!”.

Antony Goozee, Bus Strategy and Commercial Director for National Express, said: “As the region’s largest bus operator we play a key role in connecting people with local sporting fixtures and we’re excited about our new partnership with Birmingham City FC.

“The free, direct 1875 shuttle buses offer convenient pick-up and drop-off locations near both Birmingham New Street and Birmingham Moor Street train stations, making it even easier for match ticket holders to get to the Blues’ stadium for a great day or evening out.

“And with one double decker shuttle bus taking up to 75 cars off the road, savvy supporters who ditch their cars and switch to the exclusive free shuttle bus service will be helping to reduce traffic and parking issues around the stadium, while saving their money and helping to drive down harmful emissions in the area.”

National Express West Midlands’ 1875 shuttle bus services will operate up to every 15 minutes on a looped route from the NS7 bus stop on Smallbrook Queensway. Supporters are conveniently dropped off on St Andrew’s Road near to the stadium.

Ticket holders can then hop back onboard for the free return journeys which operate on a loop between the city centre and Blues’ stadium. The return shuttles depart from St Andrew’s Road and drop off at the NS5 bus stop opposite TK Maxx on Smallbrook Queensway.

For weekday fixtures the 1875 shuttle bus services start from Smallbrook Queensway at 18:15, with return shuttles departing from St Andrew’s Road for one hour following the final whistle.

For Saturday fixtures the services begin at 12:30, with return shuttles operating between 16:55 and 18:30.

To use the free shuttle service, season ticket or match ticket holders simply show their ticket to the driver when boarding.