Diamond will be starting a new service 93 supported by TfWM from Monday 1st November 2021.
Service 93 will replace the 28A and 53 services currently operated by Thandi Red, which will be withdrawn after end of service on Saturday 30th October.
The 93 will operate from Small Heath via the current 28A route to Ward End, where it will then run via Stechford station to Manor Road to then follow the current 53 route to Smiths Wood, with some alterations in Shard End and Smiths Wood.
The section of the 53 route between Birmingham city centre and Saltley/Alum Rock is already well served by NX Buses’ 14, 94 and 95 services.
Click here for route map and timetable valid from 31st October 2021
Details will become available soon at Diamond Buses website.
Opinion
While I’m not particularly familiar with either of these services, I understand that both are poorly used, hence the need for TfWM subsidy.
The 53 was revised before, with its Erdington to Saltley section withdrawn, and rerouted to Birmingham city centre instead. It was my understanding that this was done in the hope of attracting a few more passengers along a section of route already well served by the 14, 94 and 95 services, in an effort to make the service more viable.
I do think it is a good move to try and combine these two supported services into one, especially if there are operational benefits that will help to reduce running costs.
But ultimately it is up to the passengers to use these supported services – “use them or lose them” – as there seems little point in taxpayers money being used to fund bus services that carry little to no passengers.
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