The brand new, much delayed, Midland Metropolitan University Hospital is set to open its doors for patients from Sunday 6th October 2024.
In anticipation of its opening, and to provide new bus links to this hospital, I have been informed that some changes to services in the Smethwick area will take place from Sunday 29th September 2024.
From the same date, following the completion of Midland Metro works on Moor Street Queensway, buses will return to their normal lines of route and previous stopping places in Birmingham city centre.
Moor Street Queensway
2, 3, 4, 4A, 5, 6, 16, 16A, 23, 24, 33, 45, 47, 51, 61, 63, 65, 66, 67, 68, 82, 87, 97, 822, 907, 907A, 934, 935, 936, 937, 937A, 997, 997S, X21, X22, X51, X64 & FD
The above services will revert back to previous routing and stopping locations in Birmingham city centre.
Midland Metropolitan University Hospital
Now confirmed by TfWM, the NHS Sandwell and West Birmingham website advises the following services are being modified to serve the new hospital on Grove Lane, Smethwick, from Sunday 29th September.
54 / 54A – West Bromwich to Worlds End (Quinton)
These services are combined into one new half-hourly 54 service, which will be amended in Cape Hill to directly serve the new hospital.
Windmill Lane will no longer be served, as buses will be rerouted along Grove Lane to directly serve stops MA and MB at the new hospital, and then along Cape Hill to resume normal route from Waterloo Road.
Europa Village in West Bromwich, and Queens Head in Londonderry will no longer be served.
82 – Birmingham to Bearwood
87 – Birmingham to Dudley
Journeys from Birmingham towards Cape Hill will utilise a new bus gate on the Grove Lane service road, where new bus stops have been installed for easy access to the new hospital via a short walk.
Journeys from Cape Hill towards Birmingham city centre are unchanged, and passengers should use the existing Dugdale Street stop on Dudley Road which is a short walk away from the hospital.
89 – West Bromwich to Midland Met Hospital
Route is revised from Cape Hill to terminate at the new hospital, Bearwood will no longer be served. Buses will continue along Cape Hill before turning into Grove Lane to terminate at new stop MB in the hospital grounds.
I went and had a look around the area for myself today. Access to the hospital site is restricted, with fencing up all around, and bored-looking security guards wandering around. There’s access to the car park from Grove Lane, and it appears that buses will be able to access the main hospital entrance directly, though I couldn’t get a closer look, I did see some covered-up signs with “Except Buses” underneath, which I presume will show No Entry or No Vehicles.
A little further down Grove Lane is a service road, accessed from Dudley Road. It’s currently used for access to the McDonalds car park, beyond which is now a ‘bus gate’. There are two marked out bus stop bays, though there are currently no stop poles or shelters. It probably wouldn’t have hurt to resurface this road, looking at the condition it’s in! I’m assuming that this is where the 82 and 87 services will stop, before turning left onto Grove Lane and then right at the island onto Cape Hill.
Grove Lane itself is not currently served by any buses, however I noted an old shelter on the southbound carriageway near the Soho Way / Cranford Street island, which could be brought back into use. On the northbound carriageway, I noted a bus stop bay marked on the road, with what looked like recent paving upgrade, near the junction with Woodlands Street, though there was no pole installed.
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Btw the 21 bus service between Oldbury and Bearwood is pants. Ignoring those of us nearer Smethwick High St who have switch bus and walk ages and going around Francis Rd 3 times picking up two men and a dog complete waste of money!🤦♂️
The reason why there is a lack of passengers in my section of West Smethwick – the buses dont stop by West Brom Tesco bus station is to far away. I regularly get shopping by bus but avoid West Brom due to practicality. The 54 doesnt stop near Galton Bridge or Asda as it avoids it – put loads off! The 54 doesnt serve Bearwood or Oldbury so its two buses or a huge walk not practical for many old and disabled there. The 54 will change to Diamond. I simply cannot justify the cost of nbus pass when I have to switch to NX bus anyway. Might as well walk 15mins to 87 then use 54 89 and 48 which simply arent serving and linking people right. Not a surprise a lack of bus users by me 🤦♂️
Moving 48a would make far more sense. Restoring links for much of Smethwick back to Bearwood and linking more of Bearwood and Warley to Smethwick as currently the 48 and 48a doesnt serve it. My road needs a direct Queens Head Warley Woods and Bearwood link considering a huge Aldi is opening in Bearwood soon. The 48a would give more people direct link to 87 and to Smethwick Library Archives Jobcentre and trains and Sikh temples and restoring a link to Galton Bridge again which 54 and 89 dont provide a useful link took off years ago. Not everybody needs West Bromwich. It would mean less having to switch bus or walking ages to access basic amenities. The 89 and 48 is too far for many for shopping purposes
As I said previously the 48 and 48a on Holly Lane and 89 on Stony Lane is far too far for anybody with shopping and anybody with a disability. They are simply far to far to use. Also no link from 48 48a to 87 to this hospital. In old days people used 444 or 448 to 87 for hospitals and High St and for Galton Bridge that link was broke years ago and hasnt been adequately replaced. I used to use old 448 then 444 both to West Brom and Bearwood and to 87 and Galton Bridge (448 was far better for that) much harder to get around now than it used to be. I live there!
I live by 54/54a and not encouraged to use the buses at all. The 54/54a is often late or doesnt turn up. It also doesnt run evenings and only goes to West Brom and Cape Hill it avoids Galton Bridge Bearwood and Oldbury. A lot by me off large slope roads are elderly and disabled. I myself have arthritis. To access other centres would either require big walk to 80 87 or 48 or switch bus too complicated for shopping. There used to be a mix of services years ago that got you to four centres although for some reason never a direct Oldbury bus which was always a puzzle as many shop there as we are so near. It used to be far better as you didnt have to walk off as another service was by you which was important if you had shopping with you on sloped roads. If 54 doesnt turn up you are in trouble there isnt a nearby alternative and you could walk off and those buses might not turn up either. Doesnt encourage anybody to use them and far too much hassle so not surprising less using the stops nowadays.
Lots of points missed imo. No point 89 going to city road the 80 already links to 11 12 and 13. The point of 89 was to link Smethwick to Bearwood an important link lost once again. Way too much hassle switching bus from Smethwick to Bearwood. The 80 does serve Windmill Lane but doesnt go to Devonshire Rd. Its a 15mins walk uphill from 80 to get to schools so moving 54 link wont go down well and be unpopular. People by me dont use 54 much as it doesnt serve Bearwood or Warley or go to Queens Head and Lightwoods so removal of Queens Head link was unpopular and went down badly with us locals. The removal of our Bearwood link already went down badly although NX doesnt care about that! 🙄
There is a lot of selfish people about. Many in Smethwick dont own cars and need to get around. I for 30 years didnt and had to use a bus I now do own one. Its incredibly difficult to get shopping to and from my house to Bearwood and Oldbury without a car switching bus etc. We cannot all have a Birmingham bus we occasionly use as we own a car
. Those people dont rely and use a bus regularly. We cannot just have buses for those people! Many in Smethwick shop local at local centres and need a direct bus. Having a car is now a necessity as lack direct buses. I used to use Bearwood bus all the time for shopping now I rarely shop in Bearwood as no direct bus or any centre as too much hassle getting there. I rarely see any bus users who regularly use the bus go to Birmingham its always local Sandwell centres and they cannot get easily to many of them so dont bother. Having a Birmingham bus might be ‘handy’ but unless you use it regularly means nothing
The 89 isnt well used as nobody by me wants to walk up and down hill to an infrequent 89 that may or may not turn up to then have to go the longway to Cape Hill via Uplands and West Brom via Kenrick Park when the walk to 80 and 87 is just as near and quicker in fact getting a local 54 to 82 87 and 80 is quicker. The fact no link to Galton Bridge was offputting. Some of the bus routing needs a major 🤷♂️
I do disagree strongly with views on 89. Those of us towards Smethwick High St couldnt use the 89 like 48 it dropped us too far away from home with shopping. The extra walk up and down hill plus the fact it didnt serve waterloo Rd and Bearwood Road (people along there only have 82 no use if you need High St or West Brom and live by there) it took too long, plus it didnt go to bus station where people in Smethwick need links to 126 and 9 plus they go to community events in Lightwoods Park not really a replacement for 448 and 444. The 89 for those of us uphill towards Smethwick High St couldnt by enlarge use 89 and had to use 54 to 82 or 87 instead defeating the purpose having a bus in the first place in the area. The 89 ignored Galton Bridge again defeating the purpose of having a better Bearwood link since the changes and withdrawals of 448 and 444
Silly changes on 89 and 54/54a it will mean kids have no direct access to Devonshire Rd schools and no access from Devonshire Rd to Queens Head Bearwood or Warley Woods. With 89 not serving Devonshire Rd or St Pauls and so not Galton Bridge will mean less bus users which is whole issues on 89 and 54/54a links are poor to both Bearwood Warley and Queens Head oh well more lost bus passengers 🤦♂️
Be useful if TfWM would actual route buses in Smethwick like 21 and 20 down roads which currently dont have a Bearwood and Oldbury and where one is desparately needed maybe then those buses wouldnt be so empty and we could actually get to the shopping centres without having to switch bus and struggle. Ratber than put them down roads which already have a Bearwood and Oldbury bus 🤷♂️
As someone who actually lives nearer Smethwick High St. The 89 wasnt appealing for Bearwood. Many by me were put off with extra walks to 89 and 48 for shopping. The fact it didnt serve me put me off using it for shopping purposes especially with a big walk uphill. It took too long to Bearwood and wasnt as convenient and useful as old 448 and 444. The extra walk to 48 is equally unappealing especially as you have to switch to 12 for Oldbury it took too long and walk with shopping too far. It offput a lot by me who have disabilities and elderly like we do. No direct bus to Queens Head was disappointing. The thought of having to carry shopping from 89 was offputting for those of us uphill and would mean a switch for 54 which is easier from 82. It was never popular when it went to Oldbury despite many by me shopping in Oldbury. A switch from 48 to 54a was hugely unappealing with it having to go via Cape Hill taking even longer! No good shopping wise. Like most bus routes now they are inconvenient. Even changing it to serve the hospital wont encourage us to us it far easier to use 54 then 87 than bother with long winded 89!
Whats totally disgusting is NX are listening to a few lazy fit people moaning on 48 having to go to Smethwick High St but those same moaners dont care about us with shopping now having to struggle on two buses or walking up a down a hill as we live on more inaccessible areas and sloped roads. Says all you need to know who NX care about 🤦♂️
Always said changing and taking off old 448 and then 444 was a terrible idea. It linked people to Warley Woods Bearwood and Queens Head one way and linked people to High St and Galton Bridge the other. Its now far too complicated and longer to get to places for those of us nowhere near 80 87 and 12. The 448 and 444 did far more along old routes. Its all very well going quicker but the buses are less useful and less used. Its not worth me now going by bus. Walking extra to 48a is a waate of time and even longer journey. Makes getting to hospital from much of Warley too complicated whereas before an easier change on 87 for most. Routes are too messed with with worst links, putting most off. No thought for those of us nowhere near main buses! 🤦♂️
Its quite clear those in NX and TfWM dont carry shopping. The fact buses like 89 48 and 54 go to major shopping centres and the fact the 48 and 89 dont serve us and its too far for people by me to carry shopping from 48 and 89 (89 drops you at the bottom of a stonking hill on Stony Lane and 48 would mean a hell of a walk around very large roads for most people who use buses around there) means you simply cannot use those buses for any general purpose. The fact that NX and TfWM are so ignorant to that or dont care sums up the attitude and actually why less people around there are using the buses. The fact 54 doesnt go to either Oldbury or Bearwood equally means lack of use 🤦♂️
At a guess…
The 54 will be removed from Windmill Lane, instead using Grove Lane to access the hospital, then back up Cape Hill. The 89 will then replace the 54 along Windmill Lane, before turning down Grove Lane to terminate at the hospital.
I’m glad my son has now left school as he used to get the 54/54A from Windmill Lane to Devonshire Rd. Can’t see why they couldn’t just change the 89 route. So will the new 54 bus route run more regular as the current 54/54A times of every hour each is beyond a joke even if they turn up, many a time there are missing buses. Do you know if they will put all of the the old bus stops along Grove Lane back into use, if so my daughter can still catch the 54 to school
The bus markings on the road are old markings from when the 43/443 buses used to run up there from the 1970s-90s. There were 3 bus stops on either side of Grove Lane. A bus shelter is still there towards the island and the is a bus pole pretty much opposite McDonalds. It has been about 12/13 years since there was a bus route down there can’t remember the bus number though
People wonder why nobody uses the buses. My and my elderly mom have arthritis cannot use 89 for Bearwood at all it drops you down a stonking great hill 10-15mins+ walk uphill no good shopping wise for West Brom Cape Hill or Bearwood. Same with 48 a hell if a walk from my house no good shopping wise. Glad I have a car tbh. I see so many people struggle from 87 80 48 and 89 with shopping and many cannot walk extra. Very inconvenient. Despite loads by me needing shopping centres. 21 is equally a hell of a walk away again no good shopping wise. Shame as people need local shopping centres for Bearwood you have to use a very irregular 54 thats missing and switch for 82 ignoring 89 and 48 completely. Very stupid bus routing imo
At this stage, it is not known exactly how the 54 and 89 will be changed
Couldnt agree more. I know many kids go to Devonshire Rd from Windmill Lane and other parts of Smethwick for school. Poor access from where I am to Queens Head to switch for 48 and 12 to Oldbury and Bearwood as no direct bus the 89 and 48 are currently no good shopping wise its a hell of a walk with shopping many elderly and disabled need access to Oldbury and Bearwood and no direct bus, 89 and before that 448 and 444 served us which was far better we are too far from buses like 87, so I have to go by car. Why doesnt 89 go to Bearwood via Waterloo and Bearwood Rd as this is no issue since 89 is now serving the hospital so can go via there they havent had a direct bus there since old 450 so have to switch bus from 82 to 87 and 80 hard shopping wise. Huge Aldi is opening in Bearwood with no direct access for many across Smethwick not at all pleasant switching bus to literally go up the road. It looks a great hospital but I dont see the point in it terminating there when many need schools and shops. I live off 54/54a its irregular doesnt turn up and doesnt run evenings. Bus links are poor. Oldbury and Bearwood as well as Cape are popular shopping destinations.
The 80 is very close to hospital it isnt that far. 80 is much nearer the new hospital than 80 is to City Rd which is 15mins walk. Its about 5-7mins to Windmill Lane stop plus 80 is regular. Not sure school kids will be happy tbh
Meant 80 is a good walk to Dudley Rd Hospital the 80 is very near this new hospital plus no bus from Bearwood Warley or internal Smethwick to Galton Bridge its a good 20mins from me to trains, 89 previously went much nearer for shorter walk but now no bus goes near no good if you dont live near 80 or 87 or old or disabled the roads around by me are huge roads!