Bus Service Changes from 1 January 2023
Last updated 16 December 2022
From 1 January 2023, there will be a number of changes to bus services across the West Midlands.
In October, we announced a list of routes 'at risk' of being withdrawn or changed.
Over the last two months, we have been working to fund as many of these routes as possible. You can see the outcome of this work below.
- Retained: This service will continue to run as previously operated and there will be no change to the route or timetable.
- Retained with changes: This service will continue to run, however there may be changes to who operates the service, the route, the service number and the timetable.
- Withdrawn: These services will no longer operate, and we have listed your alternatives.
- Pending decision: There are still a number of services that we are working through, these will be published on this page when ready.
Service number |
Route |
Part of service |
Status |
| 7 | Coventry to Brownshill Green | Evenings and Sunday daytime | Retained with changes |
| 9 | Leasowes Avenue to Coventry Rail Station | Evenings and Sunday daytime | Retained |
| 10 | Birmingham to Woodgate Valley North | Monday to Friday daytime | Retained with changes |
| 10A / 10C | Stourbridge (Circular) | Monday to Friday daytime | Retained with changes |
| 10S | Ridgacre to Selly Oak | Monday to Saturday daytime | Retained with changes |
| 11 / 11A | Merry Hill to Dudley | Monday to Saturday (early journeys only) | Retained with changes |
| 22 | Tipton to Wednesbury | Monday to Saturday daytime | Withdrawn |
| 25 | Erdington to Ward End | Monday to Saturday daytime | Retained with changes |
| 26 | Walsall to Blakenall | Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday daytime | Withdrawn |
| 26A | Wolverhampton to Stowlawn | Evenings and Sunday daytime | Retained with changes |
| 30 | West Bromwich to Stone Cross | Monday to Saturday daytime | Retained |
| 30 | Darlaston to Bilston | Monday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday daytime | Withdrawn |
| 34 | Kings Heath to Birmingham | Monday to Saturday daytime | Withdrawn |
| 35 / 35A | Aldridge/Leighswood to Walsall | Monday to Saturday daytime | Retained |
| 36 | Walsall to Alumwell (Circular) | Evenings and Sunday daytime | Withdrawn |
| 38 | Northfield to Selly Oak | Monday to Saturday daytime | Retained with changes |
| 41 | Willenhall to Walsall | Sunday evenings only | Retained with changes |
| 42 | Brownshill Green to Coventry | Monday to Saturday daytime | Withdrawn |
| 42 | Hollymoor Way to West Heath | Monday to Saturday daytime | Retained with changes |
| 50 | Wednesfield to Wolverhampton | Monday to Friday daytime | Withdrawn |
| 54 | Hamstead Village to Perry Barr | Monday to Sunday daytime | Retained with changes |
| 61 | Perry Barr to West Bromwich | Monday to Saturday daytime | Retained with changes |
| 65 | Woods Estate to Darlaston | Monday to Saturday daytime | Retained with changes |
| 66 | Stone Cross to West Bromwich | Monday to Saturday daytime | Retained |
| 68A / 68C | Perry Barr to Aston Six Ways Circular | Monday to Saturday daytime | Withdrawn |
| 69 | Solihull to Brandwood Park | Monday to Saturday daytime | Retained with changes |
| 71 | Sutton Coldfield to Chelmsley Wood | Sundays only | Retained with changes |
| 74A | Dudley to West Bromwich | Monday to Saturday daytime | Retained |
| 78 | Sutton Coldfield to Streetly | Monday to Saturday daytime | Retained |
| 89 | Queslett to Erdington | Monday to Saturday daytime | Withdrawn |
| 89 | Solihull to Coventry | Monday to Friday daytime | Withdrawn |
| 93 | Smiths Wood to Small Heath | Monday to Saturday daytime | Withdrawn |
| 96 | Chelmsley Wood to Kingstanding | Evenings and Sundays | Retained with changes |
| 226 | Dudley to Merry Hill | Evenings and Sunday daytime | Retained |
| 229 | Dudley to Bilston | Evenings and Sunday daytime | Retained |
| 250 / 251 | Stourbridge to Merry Hill Circular | Monday to Saturday daytime | Retained with changes |
| 298 / 299 | Stourbridge to Pedmore Fields Circular | Monday to Saturday daytime | Retained with changes |
| 424 | Queslett to Perry Barr | Monday to Friday daytime | Withdrawn |
| 600 | Brookvale Park to Erdington | Monday to Saturday daytime | Retained with changes |
We have worked to retain these routes. The only way we could do this was to make slight changes to the service which we have detailed below.
25 (Erdington to Ward End) has been removed from this list as its status was updated from Retained with Changes to Decision Pending on 16 December 2022. We will update on the outcome of this service as soon as possible.
7 - Coventry to Brownshill Green
From 1 January 2023, Stagecoach will operate this service from 6pm and on Sundays.
National Express will continue to operate the service until 6pm from Monday to Saturday.
10 - Birmingham to Woodgate Valley North
From 3 January 2023, this service will have a new route, timetable and service number.
These changes will be added to the Upcoming Bus Changes page as soon as possible and updated in the Journey Planner nearer the time.
From this date, Kev's Coaches will operate this service from Monday to Friday.
10A / 10C - Stourbridge (Circular)
From 1 January 2023, this service will be replaced by the 88 (Stourbridge to Norton. This service will be operated by Kev’s Coaches from 3 January 2023.
These changes will be added to the Upcoming Bus Changes page as soon as possible and updated in the Journey Planner nearer the time.
10S - Ridgacre to Selly Oak
From 3 January 2023, this service will be renumbered 55 and will extend to Longbridge with a new timetable.
These changes will be added to the Upcoming Bus Changes page as soon as possible and updated in the Journey Planner nearer the time.
From this date, Kev's Coaches will provide this service.
11/11A - Merry Hill to Dudley
From 3 January 2023, this service will be renumbered service 25 and will extend to Stourbridge with a new timetable.
These changes will be added to the Upcoming Bus Changes page as soon as possible and updated in the Journey Planner nearer the time.
From this date, Diamond Bus will provide this service.
25 – Erdington to Ward End
From 3 January 2023, this service will have an updated route and timetable. The following roads will no longer be served:
- Edwards Road
- Moor End Lane
- Holly Lane
- Fir Tree Road
- Round Road
- Glenthorne Road
- Madison Road
- Brockhurst RoadVentnor Avenue
Passengers no longer served by the 25 can either walk to a stop on the revised route or use the following alternative bus services:
- 11A / 11C – Birmingham Outer Circle
- 28 - Small Heath to Erdington
- 96 - Kingstanding to Chelmsley Wood
- X14 - Birmingham to Sutton Coldfield
These changes will be added to the Upcoming Bus Changes page as soon as possible and updated in the Journey Planner nearer the time.
26A – Wolverhampton to Stowlawn
From 1 January 2023, this service will be renumbered service 26 and will have a new timetable.
These changes will be added to the Upcoming Bus Changes page as soon as possible and updated in the Journey Planner nearer the time.
38 - Northfield to Selly Oak
From 3 January 2023, this service will be renumbered 55 and will extend to Ridgacre via Harborne.
These changes will be added to the Upcoming Bus Changes page as soon as possible and updated in the Journey Planner nearer the time.
41 – Walsall to Willenhall
From 1 January 2023, the Sunday evening journeys on this service will operated by National Express West Midlands.
These changes will be added to the Upcoming Bus Changes page as soon as possible and updated in the Journey Planner nearer the time.
42 - Hollymoor Way to West Heath
From 3 January 2023, this service will be renumbered 55 and will extend to Ridgacre via Harborne.
These changes will be added to the Upcoming Bus Changes page as soon as possible and updated in the Journey Planner nearer the time.
54 - Hamstead Village to Perry Barr
From 1 January 2023, this service will have a new and improved timetable. This will include:
- Additional services Monday to Saturday evenings until 22:00
- Sunday daytime and evening services operating hourly
These changes will be added to the Upcoming Bus Changes page as soon as possible and updated in the Journey Planner nearer the time.
61 - Perry Barr to West Bromwich
From 3 January 2023, this service will have a new route and timetable. The route will be amended in West Bromwich to serve Kendrick Way, Dartmouth Road and Halfords Lane.
Services will extend beyond Perry Barr to Scott Arms via Walsall Road, Rocky Lane and Old Walsall Road.
These changes will be added to the Upcoming Bus Changes page as soon as possible and updated in the Journey Planner nearer the time.
65 - Woods Estate to Darlaston
From 3 January 2023, Walsall Community Transport will provide this service.
69 - Solihull to Brandwood Park
From 1 January 2023, Stagecoach will provide revised services on the following routes:
- 46 - QE Hospital to Kings Heath
- 69 - Kings Heath to Shirley (Sainsbury's) via Solihull
These changes will be added to the Upcoming Bus Changes page as soon as possible and updated in the Journey Planner nearer the time.
71 – Sutton Coldfield to Chelmsley Wood
From 1 January 2023, the Sunday service will be operated by Stagecoach Midlands with a revised timetable and revised route to match the Monday to Saturday service.
These changes will be added to the Upcoming Bus Changes page as soon as possible and updated in the Journey Planner nearer the time.
96 - Chelmsley Wood to Kingstanding
From 1 January 2023, this service will be provided by Diamond Bus with a new and improved timetable. This will include:
- Journeys extended beyond Chelmsley Wood to Birmingham Airport
- The Kingstanding to Erdington section of the route served after 6pm and on Sundays
- Services provided into the early hours of the morning
These changes will be added to the Upcoming Bus Changes page as soon as possible and updated in the Journey Planner nearer the time.
250 / 251 - Stourbridge to Merry Hill (Circular)
From 1 January 2023, this service will be replaced by the 25 (Dudley to Stourbridge via Merry Hill & Brockmoor).
This service will be provided by Diamond Bus from 3 January 2023.
From this date, the frequency of this service will be increased from hourly to half-hourly.
These changes will be added to the Upcoming Bus Changes page as soon as possible and updated in the Journey Planner nearer the time.
298/299 - Stourbridge to Pedmore Fields (Circular)
From 1 January 2023, this service will be replaced by the 142A (Merry Hill to Halesowen). This service is provided by Diamond Bus.
These changes will be added to the Upcoming Bus Changes page as soon as possible and updated in the Journey Planner nearer the time.
600 – Erdington to Brookvale Park Circular
From 3 January 2023, this service will operate with an amended route and timetable.
Some roads will no longer be served. These are:
- Gipsy Lane
- George Road between Brookvale Road and Park Road
- Lyndhurst Road
- Erdington Hall Road.
Passengers on Gipsy Lane and George Road (between Brookvale Road and Park Road) will be within walking distance of the revised 600 service.
Wood End Lane and Wheelwright Road will not be served by the 600. Instead, they can use the revised service 25 (Erdington to Bromford Bridge). Passengers on Erdington Hall Road and Lyndhurst Road are also advised to use the 25 from Wheelwright Road.
The 600 will operate as a circular for the whole route, which means that you can get on and off the bus at the same stop.
These changes will be added to the Upcoming Bus Changes page as soon as possible and updated in the Journey Planner nearer the time.
These services could not be retained due to extremely low passenger numbers. We have listed your best alternative bus route below.
These withdrawals will not be updated in the Journey Planner until nearer the time.
22 - Tipton to Wednesbury
From 1 January 2023, this service will no longer operate
Your best alternative bus services are:
- 11 - Walsall to Merry Hill
- 42 - West Bromwich to Dudley
- 43 - West Bromwich to Bilston
- 74 - Dudley to Birmingham
Services 11 and 74 are operated by National Express and do not accept Diamond Bus tickets.
You can also access rail services to Wolverhampton and Birmingham from Dudley Port Train Station.
26 - Walsall to Blakenhall
From 1 January 2023, this service will no longer operate.
Your best alternative bus services are:
30 - Darlaston to Bilston
From 1 January 2023, this service will no longer operate.
Your best alternative bus services during these hours are:
34 - Kings Heath to Birmingham
From 1 January 2023, this service will no longer operate.
Your best alternative bus services are:
- 1 - Acocks Green to Five Ways
- 2 - Birmingham to Maypole
- 3 - Birmingham to Yardley Wood
- 8A/ 8C - Birmingham Inner Circle
Services 1, 2, 3, 8A and 8C are operated by National Express and do not accept Diamond Bus tickets.
36 - Walsall to Alumwell (Circular)
From 1 January 2023, this service will not operate after 6pm and on Sundays.
Your best alternative bus services are:
These routes are operated by National Express and do not accept Diamond Bus tickets.
This route will continue to operate before 6pm from Monday to Saturday.
42 - Brownshill Green to Coventry
From 1 January 2023, this service will no longer operate.
Your best alternative bus services are:
- 5/ 5A - Coventry to Coundon/Arena Park
- 7 - Coventry to Brownshill Green
- 16 - Coventry to Keresley Village
- 735 - Coventry to Furnace End
Services 5, 5A, 7, 16, are operated by National Express Coventry. Service 735 is operated by Coventry Minibuses. These alternatives do not accept Diamond Bus tickets.
50 - Wednesfield to Wolverhampton
From 1 January 2023, this service will no longer operate.
Your best alternative bus services are:
- 9 – Walsall to Wolverhampton via Bloxwich & Wednesfield
- 69 – Walsall to Wolverhampton via New Invention
- 57 – Wolverhampton to Bilston via Wednesfield
Services 9 and 60 are operated by National Express.
Service 57 is operated by Diamond Bus and will not accept National Express bus tickets.
68A / 68C - Perry Barr to Aston Six Ways (Circular)
From 1 January 2023, this service will no longer operate.
Your best alternative bus services are:
- 7 - Perry Common to Birmingham
- 8A/ 8C - Birmingham Inner Circle
- 11A/ 11C - Birmingham Outer Circle
- 65 - Perry Common to Birmingham
- 67 - Castle Vale to Birmingham
The 7, 8A, 8C, 11A, 11C and 67 are operated by National Express and do not accept Diamond Bus tickets.
89 - Queslett to Erdington
From 1 January 2023, this service will no longer operate.
Your best alternative bus services are:
- 5 - West Bromwich to Sutton Coldfield
- 28 - Great Barr to Small Heath
- 33 - Pheasey to Birmingham
- 66 - Sutton Coldfield to Birmingham
- 997 - Walsall to Birmingham
These services are operated by National Express and do not accept Diamond Bus tickets.
89 - Solihull to Coventry
From 1 January 2023, this service will no longer operate.
Your best alternative bus service is West Midlands Bus on Demand.
93 - Smiths Wood to Small Heath
From 1 January 2023, this service will no longer operate.
Your best alternative bus services are:
- 14 - Chelmsley Wood to Birmingham
- 17 - Tile Cross to Birmingham
- 28 - Small Heath to Great Barr
- 95 - Chelmsley Wood to Birmingham
- 96 - Chelmsley Wood to Kingstanding
Diamond Bus tickets are valid on the 96.
The other alternatives are operated by National Express and do not accept Diamond Bus tickets.
424 - Queslett to Perry Barr
From 1 January 2023, this service will no longer operate.
Your best alternative bus services are:
- 5 - West Bromwich to Sutton Coldfield
- 28 - Great Barr to Small Heath
- 51 - Walsall to Birmingham
- 52 - Perry Beeches to Birmingham
These services are operated by National Express and do not accept Diamond Bus tickets.
From 3 January 2023, service 61 (West Bromwich to Scott Arms via Perry Barr) will also be an alternative. From this date, it will have a revised timetable which runs along Rocky Lane. This service is operated by Diamond Bus.
Why is this happening?
These changes follow a number of bus routes being taken off by commercial bus operators.
This is partly due to Government funding during the Covid-19 pandemic coming to an end, but also due to fewer people travelling than pre-Covid and the increased costs of running the bus services.
What are we doing to improve the bus network?
Our Bus Service Improvement Plan has been awarded £88 million by the Department for Transport. It will introduce improvements like:
- further investment in bus priority lanes & cross-city services
- streamlined fares & ticketing
- more transport safety officers
- incentives for car users to switch to bus
Timetable Changes
From January 2023, there will be changes to a large number of bus timetables across the region in addition to the ones on this page. Stay up to date with any changes here.
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