Published: 23rd April 2026
Birmingham’s most iconic bus route marks its centenary
The famous Birmingham No 11 route is 100 years old this Sunday (26th April 2026). Known as the longest bus route in Europe, National Express West Midlands 11 service covers a 27 mile (43 km) route that has run around the outer circle of Birmingham since 1926*.
Up to 36,000 journeys are made every day, serving over 260 bus stops, 233 schools, colleges or universities,.40 pubs, 19 retail centres, six hospitals, and one prison. It also links some 15 commercial centres, and passes Cadbury World in Bournville and the Villa Park football stadium. A full circuit on the 11 service can take up to three hours to complete.
The 11 route inspired a song by The Woodbines in 1999, a dance (Kenneth Reid from the Birmingham Scottish country dance group created a dance based on the Outer Circle), and at least one novel (it features in West Midlands author Jonathan Coe's satirical bestseller 'Number 11').
Adam Rideout, Head of Customer Experience and Marketing at NX Bus said,
“Bus is by far the most popular form of public transport here in the West Midlands and our iconic 11 service has long-been a Brummie favourite since it first started some 100 years ago.
“With buses running up to every 10 minutes and single adult tickets still only £3, it remains a very popular route that connects our customers in a number of key areas around the city and is part of the city's transport history.”
Transport Museum Wythall is celebrating the 100th anniversary of Birmingham’s iconic 11 bus service this month. The special trips on different buses through the ages of the 11 route, are part of Transport Museum Wythall’s anniversary celebrations over the late May bank holiday weekend. For more information about the Transport Museum Wythall visit www.wythall.org.uk
Timetables can be found here for 11A and 11C.
*Since July 2021 11A services have terminated at Perry Barr and then return as an 11C to Acocks Green, with 11C buses terminating at Erdington, returning as a 11A service to Acocks Green - this has improved the reliability of the service due to roadworks and congestion along the route.
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