Johnson's X20 Service

[RobusPP]

According to PD0000226/87 Johnsons have cancelled their X20 service between Brum + Stratford from September 2018! Seems rather surprising considering the route is route branded, DD operated, and appears to be doing well when I've saw it running.

Certainly, if I lived in Birmingham I'd jump at the opportunity to escape the city!

Does anyone know anything more about this? Johnson's have also registered a new service from Stratford to Shirley, presumably this replaces the X20. Shirley seems like an odd terminus for a route.

 

[Megafuss]

If it is only going to/from Shirley then they would need one less bus to complete the round trip based on the current timings between Shirley and Stratford

Those with Midlands knowledge will know better than me.

 

[Smethwickian]

I'm not sure it's as consistently busy in and out of Birmingham as a commercial operator might hope and may not receive sufficient recompense for concessionary pass travel. It takes longer than the train for end-to-end passengers and can be badly hit by traffic woes, even off-peak, in both Stratford and Birmingham. Megafuss is right, a truncated route saves a bus and the route registration mentions Shirley Station as the terminus so passengers will need to connect there or with buses in Shirley's main shopping area for Birmingham.
Stratford will become another Midlands town that no longer has direct buses to Birmingham - joining the likes of Lichfield and Kidderminster - which were once the backbone of the old Midland Red network.
I am also surprised, RobusPP, that the X20 it is not more popular with tourist escapees - fleeing overcrowded and overpriced Stratford for the myriad of historic places, fascinating museums, top-class galleries, botanical gardens, beautiful parks and great family attractions in Birmingham (albeit that you'd struggle to find some of them amid the scale of redevelopment and roadworks in parts of the city centre at the moment, I admit).

 

[Robertj21a]

I'm not sure it's as consistently busy in and out of Birmingham as a commercial operator might hope and may not receive sufficient recompense for concessionary pass travel. It takes longer than the train for end-to-end passengers and can be badly hit by traffic woes, even off-peak, in both Stratford and Birmingham. Megafuss is right, a truncated route saves a bus and the route registration mentions Shirley Station as the terminus so passengers will need to connect there or with buses in Shirley's main shopping area for Birmingham.
Stratford will become another Midlands town that no longer has direct buses to Birmingham - joining the likes of Lichfield and Kidderminster - which were once the backbone of the old Midland Red network.
I am also surprised, RobusPP, that the X20 it is not more popular with tourist escapees - fleeing overcrowded and overpriced Stratford for the myriad of historic places, fascinating museums, top-class galleries, botanical gardens, beautiful parks and great family attractions in Birmingham (albeit that you'd struggle to find some of them amid the scale of redevelopment and roadworks in parts of the city centre at the moment, I admit).

Although I agree with you, I have a feeling that the typical tourist visiting Stratford is fairly unlikely to appreciate the 'attractions' of Birmingham - and would be even less likely to go there by bus. Presumably, there are also insufficient Brummies seeing the attractions of Stratford to use the bus.

 

[A0]

I'm not sure it's as consistently busy in and out of Birmingham as a commercial operator might hope and may not receive sufficient recompense for concessionary pass travel. It takes longer than the train for end-to-end passengers and can be badly hit by traffic woes, even off-peak, in both Stratford and Birmingham. Megafuss is right, a truncated route saves a bus and the route registration mentions Shirley Station as the terminus so passengers will need to connect there or with buses in Shirley's main shopping area for Birmingham.
Stratford will become another Midlands town that no longer has direct buses to Birmingham - joining the likes of Lichfield and Kidderminster - which were once the backbone of the old Midland Red network.
I am also surprised, RobusPP, that the X20 it is not more popular with tourist escapees - fleeing overcrowded and overpriced Stratford for the myriad of historic places, fascinating museums, top-class galleries, botanical gardens, beautiful parks and great family attractions in Birmingham (albeit that you'd struggle to find some of them amid the scale of redevelopment and roadworks in parts of the city centre at the moment, I admit).

However the rail network across Birmingham is far better than it was back in the days of Midland Red. Lichfield of course has seen its services electrified, Kidderminster and Stratford have newer trains and better services overall.

 

[Alex 2901]

According to PD0000226/87 Johnsons have cancelled their X20 service between Brum + Stratford from September 2018! Seems rather surprising considering the route is route branded, DD operated, and appears to be doing well when I've saw it running.

Certainly, if I lived in Birmingham I'd jump at the opportunity to escape the city!

Does anyone know anything more about this? Johnson's have also registered a new service from Stratford to Shirley, presumably this replaces the X20. Shirley seems like an odd terminus for a route.

I see the X20 regularly, and it often leaves Birmingham with only 1 or 2 people on board. Doesn't help that the 2, 3, 5, 6, 31, 37 run more often, and the only selling point on Stratford Road for the X20 is often absolutely pointless as the A34 through Sparkbrook/Sparkhill & Hall Green is usually bumper to bumper. I think Johnsons have made a good call in cutting their losses on the X20, especially as the deckers are now noteworthy to see on there, and at least the link to Birmingham will be retained (Sunday journeys will run as X50)

 

[Tetchytyke]

Does anyone know anything more about this? Johnson's have also registered a new service from Stratford to Shirley, presumably this replaces the X20. Shirley seems like an odd terminus for a route.

I don't know the geography, but would Shirley be a place where an operator wpuld split a service for the EU rules fudge?

Wondering if part of the new registration just hasn't hit VOSA

 

[overthewater]

Your a smart man! People really should check a direct source.....

Bus registration details
Registration number: PD0000226/154
Licence Number: PD0000226
Variation number: 0
Status: Registered
Service number: 20, X50
Service type: Normal Stopping, Limited Stop
Start point: Stratford upon Avon
Finish point: Shirley Railway Station, Birmingham
Via: Henley in Arden, Hockley Heath

Date received: 27 Jun 2018
Effective date: 02 Sep 2018

Supported by subsidies? In Part
Local authorities covered by route: West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) and Warwickshire County Council
TAOs covered by route West Midlands
https://www.vehicle-operator-licens...registered-local-bus-services/details/520717/

 

[overthewater]

I have to put my hand up and say unquestionable apologise for what can only be said as clear an idictoics on my side. I saw Birmingham and er got completely confused. very very very very sorry and I hope people accept my apology.

https://www.vehicle-operator-licens...registered-local-bus-services/details/520719/

 

[Typhoon]

Choice of Shirley Station would seem fairly sensible as there is a decent provision for the bus to park before returning to Stratford.

I am sure that this is not the first time that journeys on the route (or its predecessors) started from Shirley Station. I think post peak morning journeys (and possibly returning afternoon journeys) started/ended there about 10-20 years ago when I lived in the area, presumably so that bus could be used elsewhere in the peak.

They will have to think of a new slogan - 'From the Bard's Town to the Bullring' won't work anymore (Shirley is in Solihull). The only distinctive thing I can remember about Shirley is name of the first Chinese Restaurant - Shirley Temple.

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

Choice of Shirley Station would seem fairly sensible as there is a decent provision for the bus to park before returning to Stratford.

I am sure that this is not the first time that journeys on the route (or its predecessors) started from Shirley Station. I think post peak morning journeys (and possibly returning afternoon journeys) started/ended there about 10-20 years ago when I lived in the area, presumably so that bus could be used elsewhere in the peak.

They will have to think of a new slogan - 'From the Bard's Town to the Bullring' won't work anymore (Shirley is in Solihull). The only distinctive thing I can remember about Shirley is name of the first Chinese Restaurant - Shirley Temple.

From Shakespeare to Shirley Temple!!

 

[Typhoon]

From Shakespeare to Shirley Temple!!

Smart. You should copyright that before someone else does!

However, since I've read restaurant reviews for the Shirley Temple I suspect that 'From Shirley Temple to Shakespeare' might prove to be more productive. Actually, what about 'Follow the yellow brick road from Shirley Temple to Shakespeare'?

 

[carlberry]

Stop calling me Shirley!

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

Stop calling me Shirley!

Does it serve Solihull Hospital?

(one for lovers of Airplane! everywhere)

 

[Smethwickian]

Now reported on a local buses forum here in the Midlands that the Sunday service to and from Birmingham city centre will continue and, as it interworks with service 50 between Stratford-upon-Avon and Chipping Norton (I believe both are currently funded by Warwickshire County Council), it will be advertised as a through service, numbered X50.