Bus passengers were this week offered an exciting new era as the most luxurious buses ever seen in the West Midlands took to the city streets.
The new state-of-the-art vehicles, boasting high-back, soft leather seats, tinted windows, air chill systems and the latest digital CCTV, are the centrepiece of a pioneering partnership between the region’s public transport developer Centro-WMPTA and National Express Group’s, Travel West Midlands.
The partnership will see the latest additions to the fleet operating on three busy routes out of Birmingham city centre – the 934 to Pheasey, the 993 to Streetly and the 997 to Walsall.
All three ‘Premier’ routes are being transformed by a package of improvements to give passengers not only a new high specification but also increased frequencies, better shelters and real time information. The buses themselves will be cleaned several times a day.
Passengers will also be able to obtain refunds if the high standards of punctuality committed to in a Customer Charter are not met.
Transport Minister the Rt Hon Rosie Winterton MP, was given a taste of the red carpet treatment awaiting passengers when she officially launched the luxury buses outside the prestigious House of Fraser department store in Birmingham.
Richard Bowker, Chief Executive of National Express commented: “These new ‘Premier’ vehicles represent an investment of £1.4m and show what we are aspiring to in terms of quality, innovation and passenger comfort. I have no doubt that with these fantastic new buses, we can meet our challenge of getting people out of their cars and attract them onto public transport for the long-term.
“We are delighted to be continuing to lead the way with Centro - WMPTA here in the West Midlands not only to deliver a first-class bus network, but to continue with our aim of making travel simpler for everyone by playing a major part in providing a quality, sustainable solution to congestion. Our commitment to quality bus services and focus for investment into the fleet will continue throughout 2008.”
Geoff Inskip, Chief Executive of Centro-WMPTA, added: “We are delighted to have worked in partnership with Travel West Midlands to launch these high quality bus routes which aim to give passengers the frequent, safe, clean and accessible services they demand.
“We are urging people who commute into the city to work or shop to give these enhanced bus routes a try. We believe the high standards of service can persuade them to take the bus on a regular basis, helping to reduce congestion and carbon emissions.”
Transport chiefs hope the upgrading of the three routes will increase passenger numbers by at least 10 per cent within the first year.All three of TWM’s Premier routes will operate a limited stop, express service along the corridor between Perry Barr and Birmingham city centre in order to speed up journey times. Frequencies will also be increased.
The partnership has also involved Centro – WMPTA replacing 79 shelters along the three routes with modern silver and orange designs. A dedicated cleaning team will make sure damage to shelters from vandalism and graffiti is repaired within 24 hours of notification.
From March 2008, Real Time Information will also be provided by electronic displays at bus stops and through text messaging to passengers’ mobile phones so they know exactly when their next service will arrive.
Chairman of Centro-WMPTA, Cllr Gary Clarke, said: “This partnership shows that by working together we can provide the sort of quality that people demand if they are to make the switch from car to bus.
“These Premier services are the latest step towards Centro-WMPTA’s vision of a world class public transport system that fully integrates bus, train and Metro services under the Network West Midlands umbrella.”
The three Premier routes launched today are in addition to three other routes – the No.1 from Acocks Green to Five Ways, the 377 between Walsall and Sutton Coldfield, and the 451 between West Bromwich and Sutton Coldfield, which were similarly upgraded during the autumn as part of the partnership agreement but do not boast leather seat buses.
Latest figures show that during December the revamped 377 enjoyed an impressive 10 per cent increase in passenger numbers compared to December 2006 while the No. 1 service saw a rise of 8 per cent.
