Trip to Cannock / Walsall 22-07-2023

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
6738	Cannock BS	Bloxwich, Victoria Avenue	X51	National Express West Midlands
2132	Bloxwich, Victoria Avenue	Walsall St Pauls BS	31	National Express West Midlands
6736	Walsall St Pauls BS	Great Barr, Scarsdale Road	997	National Express West Midlands
6730	Great Barr, Malthouse Lane	Aldridge, Shopping Centre	997	National Express West Midlands
4348	Aldridge, Shopping Centre	Walsall St Pauls BS	7	National Express West Midlands
6765	Walsall St Pauls BS	Walsall, Alumwell Road	529	National Express West Midlands
6767	Walsall, Alumwell Road	Walsall St Pauls BS	529	National Express West Midlands
2112	Walsall St Pauls BS	Bloxwich, Wolverhampton Road	31	National Express West Midlands
6740	Bloxwich, Wolverhampton Road	Cannock BS	X51	National Express West Midlands

Today we decided to revisit Cannock. There was an issue with the main car, so we decided to stay fairly local. It was also the same today that Copeland's Tours ran a trip to Leicester. Research consisted of checking the National Express West Midlands bus ticket prices and local at the weather. The weather was forecast for rain all afternoon. Matthew got up around 09:00 and had toast for breakfast. We got reasy and we set off around 12:00 to pick up uncle Dave. We got in the car and we ran along Beaconsfield Drive. We turned left onto Church Road and at the roundabout we veered left onto Blurton Road. We ran through Blurton and into Heron Cross and over the A50. At Heron Cross lights we turned left onto Grove Road. We ran forwards onto Wheildon Road and we picked up uncle Dave. Once we had picked up uncle Dave, we continued down Wheildon Road and we joined the Northbound A500. We turned left onto Church Street and we we around the one-way system. We turned left onto London Road and we stopped at Sainsbury's to put diesel in the car. Once we had filled up with diesel we set off onto London Road and we conrinued onto the one-way system. We turned left onto Church Street and right onto Liverpool Road. We veered right onto Eleanor Street and right onto Copeland Street. We ran forwards onto Glebe Street and we turned left onto Church Street. We crossed over the A500 before joining the Southbound A500. We ran to the end and we joined the Southbound M6. Seen on the M6 were taxi minibus SF16 XWV, blue minibus FN66 YWP, an unidentified NX liveries coach on a Northboud #120 service, white minibus HX12 HHY, an unidentified white coach and ERS Medical FJ21 HGK. We came off the M6 at junction 12 and we headed Eastwards towards Cannock. We stopped at The Truckers Rest truck stop and Matthew went to the toilet whilst mum ordered the food. Matthew had a breakfast washed down with a can of Coke. When we had finished we got back into the car and and we set off onto the Eastbound A5. At the roundabout we turned left at the A4601 and we ran into Cannock towards centre. At the edge of town we forwards onto the ringway. We went past the bus station and we did a 180' turn at the roundabout before parking up at Beechcroft Road car park. We walked across to the bus station and we took a few bus pictures. We saw Chaserider 542 on a #60 to Lichfield.

Chaserider 542 in Cannock bus station

A short time later we saw the bus approaching. As it got closer we saw it was National Express West Midlands 6738 on a X51 to Birmingham.

NX West Midlands 6738 in Cannock bus station

We got on the bus and we booked National Express Daysaver tickets for £4.50 each. We went upstairs, and as the rear of the bus was empty Matthew took a picture inside National Express West Midlands 6738.

Inside NX West Midlands 6738

We set off out of the bus station and we turned around at the roundabout and we went Eastwards along the A34. At the roundabout we turned left onto the A5190. We past the railway station and at the McArthur Glen Shopping Centre we turned left onto The Northbound A460. We veered left into the retail park and pulled into the bus stop and we returned back Southwards down the A460. We turned left onto Votager Drive and we entered the Orbital Retail Park. We followed Voyager Drive to the left and we turned left onto Orbital Way. We rejoined the Southbound A460 and we crossed over the M6 toll road onto the A34. We turned right onto Hilton Lane and we turned left onto Gorsey Lane. At the roundabout we turned left onto Holly Lane and at the end we turned right onto the A34. We Headed Southwards for a mile or so before turning right onto right onto Turnberry Road and we ran past the pub One Man and his Dog. We turned left onto the B4210 next to Bloxwich North railway station and we travelled Southwards. We turned left onto the A4124 by the Sir Robert Peel pub and we turned right onto Sand Bank. We followed the road around to the left onto Wolverhampton Road and we turned right onto Bloxwich High Street and we got up and got off the bus. Once off the bus Matthew took another picture of National Express West Midlands 6738 as it continued towards Birmingham.

NX West Midlands 6738 in Bloxwich

Once off the bus we had a walk around to see what we could catch. We left the A34 and we walked onto Park Road. We saw Walsall Community Transport YX13 BVW on a #25 to Kingstanding.

Walsall Community Transport YX13 BVW in Bloxwich

Afterwards we walked back onto the A34 to wait for a bus towards Walsall. A short time later we saw a bus approaching. It was National Express West Midlands 2132 on a #31 to Walsall.

NX West Midlands 2132 in Bloxwich

We got on the bus and we flashed the nBus day tickets to the driver before we sat down towards the back of the bus. We deviated off the A34 onto Stafford Street and we ran the 2 or so miles into Walsall. We crossed over the A4148 and we saw an unidentified TNS minubs go past. We ran down onto St Pauls Street and we entered the bus station and we got up and got off. Once off the bus Matthew visited the toilet. Afterwards we looked around for something to catch. A short time later we saw a bus heading towards Birmingham. We saw it was Narional Express West Midlands 6736 on a #997 to Birmingham.

NX West Midlands 6736 in Walsall bus station

We got on the bus and we booked flashed the nBus day tickets to the driver before going upstairs and sitting down. When it was departure time the bus set off out of the bus station and on to Hatherton Street and forwards onto Hatherton Road.We turned left onto Lichfield Street and we turned left at the roundabout. We ran Northwards along Lichfield Road and we ran through Rushall. We turned right onto the B4154 and we came into Daw End and we turned left onto Redhouse Lane and we ran North Eastwards until we reached Walsall Road. We continued onto Aldridge bypass and we ran to the West of the town centre before turning right at the roundabout onto Anchor Road and into the town centre. We ran back onto the Aldridge Bypass and we veered left onto Birmingham Road. We turned left onto the B4154 and we headed Eastwards. The road curved around to the South and at Barr Beacon crossroad we turned left. We turned right onto Aldridge Road and at Queeslet we turned right onto the A4041. We passed the former the Buffet Island site which is going to be a new McDonald's. We turned right onto Collingwood Drive and left onto the B4154. We turned left out of Dyas Road and we got up and got off the bus. Matthew took another picture of National Express West Midlands 6736 as it continued towards Birmingham.

NX West Midlands 6736 in Great Barr

Once we let the bus go we walked Northwards up Aldridge Road and we crossed over Dyas Road before stopping at a shop to buy chcolate and a drink. We also brought a jelly snake. We paid for the stuff and Matthew ate the jelly snake and we crossed over the road to wait at the Northbound bus stop. Whilst we weaited for our bus we saw National Express West Midlands 1866 on a #28 to Heartlands Hospital.

NX West Midlands 1866 in Great Barr

A short time later we saw our bus approaching. As it got closer we saw it was National Express West Midlands 6730 on a #997 to Walsall.

NX West Midlands 6730 in Great Barr

We got on the bus and we flashed the nBus day ticket to the driver before we went upstairs and sat down. We set off Northwards up Aldridge Road and we turned right onto Dyas Road. We turned left onto Old Oscott Lane and left onto Oscott School Lane. We turned left onto Shady Lane and right onto Aldridge Road. We crossed the A4041 and we headed Northwards onto Beacon Road and at the roundabout we turned right onto Collingwood Drive. We turned left onto Hillingford Avenue and forwards onto Frampton Way. We turned right onto Doe Bank Lane and at the end we turned left onto the A4041. At the next roundabout we turned left onto Aldridge Road. We turned left onto the B4151 and at the next roundabout at at the next roundabout we turned right onto the B4154. We ran Northwards for around 1/4 of a mile and we turned left onto Barr Common Road. At the next junction we veered right onto Birmingham Road up to Pool Green. We turned right onto the A454 and we turned right into Portland Road. We veered left onto Anchor Road and we stopped in Aldridge town centre where we got up and got off the bus. Once off the bus Matthew took another picture of National Express West Midlands 6730 as it continued towards Walsall.

NX West Midlands 6730 in Aldridge

Once off the bus we went into the pub and Matthew used the toilet. Matthew had a glass of Coke and we sat down. After we had finished our drinks we went outside and met up with uncle Dave. We waited for a bus towards Walsall. Across the road we saw National Express West Midlands 6758 on a #937 to Brownhills West.

NX West Midlands 6758 in Aldridge

A short time later we saw a bus approaching. As it got closer we saw it was National Express West Midlands 4348 on a #7 to Walsall.

NX West Midlands 4348 in Aldridge

We got on the bus and we flashed the nBus day ticket to the driver. The lower saloon was empty so Matthew took a picture inside National Express West Midlands 4348.

Inside NX West Midlands 4348

We went upstairs and the rear of the top deck was empty too. Matthew took another picture inside National Express West Midlands 4348.

Inside NX West Midlands 4348

We set off along Anchor Road and we ran forwards onto Portland Road. We turned left onto the A454 and we ran South-Westwards towards Walsall. After a couple of miles we turned left onto the A461 and we headed Southwards. We crossed the A4148 and we ran forwards onto Lichfield Street. We continued onto Bridge Street and we followed the road around onto St Pauls Street where the bus terminated. We got up and got off the bus. Matthew took another picture of National Express West Midlands 4348 before it went on to it's next service.

NX West Midlands 4348 in Walsall bus station

We walked through the bus station to have a look what we could catch. We saw Rotala Diamond 32240 parked up on layover in Hatherton Street.

Rotala Diamond 32240 in Walsall

Also see was National Express West Midlands 1840 on a #29 to Bloxwich.

NX West Midlands 1840 in Walsall bus station

A few minutes later we saw a bus Matthew wanted to catch. It pulled onto stand and we saw it was National Express West Midlands 6765 on a #529 to Wolverhampton.

NX West Midlands 6765 in Walsall bus station

Once the bus was ready we got on the bus bus we flashed the nBus Star Day ticket to the driver before we went upstairs. The bus set off out of the bus station and we ran past the Crown Wharf shopping centre along Wolverhampton Street. We ran forwards on to the A454 and we ran the 1/2 mile where we got up and got off the bus. Once off the bus Matthew took another pictre of National Express West Midlands 6765 as it continued towards Wolverhampton.

NX West Midlands 6765 in Walsall

We crossed over the road and we waited for a bus back to Walsall. A short time later we saw a bus approaching. As it got closer we saw it was National Express West Midlands 6767 on a #529 to Walsall.

NX West Midlands 6767 in Walsall

We got on the bus and we flashed the nBus day ticket to the driver before we went upstairs and we sat down towards the back of the bus. The bus set off along the A454 and we ran forwards onto the A4148. We turned right onto Wolverhampton Street and we ran past the Crown Wharf Shopping Park. We ran forwards onto Townend Street and we crossed the roundabout into St Paul's Street and into the bus station. Once off the bus we looked for a bus to head back towards Cannock. We had just missed the X51 so we decided to go to Bloxwich and break the journey. A short time later a bus came on stand, As it got closer we saw it was National Express West Midlands 2112 on a #31 to Mossley.

NX West Midlands 2112 in Walsall bus station

We got on the bus and we flashed the nBus day tickets to the driver before we sat down towards the back of the bus. Once again we didn't realise it was a dud bus until we got on it. The bus set off out of the bus station and we went North up Stafford Street. We crossed over the A4148 continuing North up Stafford Street and we ran the 2 miles or so up to Bloxwich. When we got to town we went up the High Street and we turned left onto Wolverhampton Road where we got up and got off the bus. Once off the bus Matthew took another picture of National Express West Midlands 2112 as it continued on the #31 to Mossley.

NX West Midlands 2112 in Bloxwich

Once off the bus we had a bout a 20 minutes wait or so we decided to visit the spotted cow, Matthew went the toilet and afterwards had a can of Coke which we took outside to drink. A short time later the bus came around the corner. We saw it was National Express West Midlands 6740 on a X51 to Cannock.

NX West Midlands 6740 in Bloxwich

We got on the bus and we flasjed the nBus day tickets to the driver for the final time today before we went upstaits and sat down. We continued onto Sand Bank and we turned left onto Bell Lane. We re-joined the Northbound B4210 and we headed past Bloxwich North railway station. We turned right onto Turnberry Way and we ran to the end. We turned left onto the Northbound A34 and we headed up to Landywood. We turned left onto Holly Lane we turned right onto Gorsey Lane. We turned right onto Hilton Lane and then left onto the Northbound A34. We crossed the M6 toll and we ran Northwards up the A460. We turned right onto Votager Drive and we entered the Orbital Retail Park. We followed Voyager Drive to the left and we turned left onto Orbital Way. We rejoined the Northbound A460 and we ran up to the McArthur Glen retail outlet village. After looping around to the stops for McArthurs Glen we rejoined the Southbound A460. We turned right onto the A5190 and we ran to the edge of the town centre. We went Westwards onto the ringway and at the roundabout we turned left onto the A34 before turning left into the bus station. Once off the bus Matthew took another picture of National Express West Midlands 6740 before it returned to Birmingham.

NX West Midlands 6740 in Cannock bus station

Also see at the bus station was Chaserider 670 on layover.

Chaserider 670 in Cannock bus station

Once off the bus we called mum to see where she was. She had a flat battery in the car and she was parked by The Range. We set off on foot around the ringway and we turned left onto the A34. We got part way down the hill and we spotted mum mum driving up the hill as she had managed to get a jump start. We got in the car and we turned around and headed Southwards onto the A34. Matthew had a can of Irn Bru. We joined the Westbound A460 and we headed towads the motorway. I needed to look on my phone to reset the car radio. We decided to pull over inti a layby and there just happened to be a minibus there. It was Five Star Cars YB19 EJD.

Five Star Cars YB19 EJD in Cheslyn Hay

Car Radio reset we carried on along the A460 before joining the Northbound M6. We came off at junction 12 and we went Westwards along the A5 before turning right onto the A449. We ran Northwards to Penkridge before stopping in the car park in the town centre. I went to the chip shop and fetched chips. Matthew had sausage, chips and gravy. When we had finished eating we continued Northwards up the A449. We ran up to the motorway and we joined the Northbound M6 at junction 13. As we travlled Northwards up the motorway it was dark and we passed wuite a few coaches including WMAS YJ21 GWX, an unidentified Major Coachways coach and an unidentifeid Atlantic Coaches coach. We came of the motorway at junction 15 and we joined the Northbound A500. We ran through Hanford up to Stoke and we came off the A500. We turned right onto City Road and right again to go Southwards onto the A500. We veered left onto Wheildon Road and we went to uncle Dave's. We dropped off uncle Dave and Matthew got out to use the toilet. Once we had dropped off uncle Dave we set off onto Wheildon Road and past the former Regent pub which is now up for sale. We ran forwards onto Grove Road and we saw green minibus R482 NDM parked up. We turned right onto Blurton Road and we crossed over the A50. We continued through Blurton and we turned right onto Church Road. We turned right onto the A5035 and we got back to Blurton around 20:00. Matthew chilled out on his computer and we did some of the Blog. We also wrote a few emails and generally used the computer to entertain ourselves. We watched TV and Matthew got ready for bed. Matthew settled down around 00:00... Mark

Trip to Bilston / Walsall 10-12-2016

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
2296	Bilston Interchange	Willenhall, Lion Hotel (Stop WF)	326	Arriva Midlands
6765	Willenhall, Market Place (Stop WE)	Walsall St Pauls BS	529	NX West Midlands
30411	Walsall St Pauls BS	Bloxwich, Bulls Head (Stop BP)	302	NX West Midlands
4125	Bloxwich, Bulls Head (Stop BD)	Walsall St Pauls BS	301	NX West Midlands
1839	Walsall Bradford Place BS	Bilston Interchange	34	NX West Midlands
V882 HBY	Bilston Interchange	Wolverhampton, Bilston Street (o/s Police Station)	905	Costal Liners
4783	Wolverhampton BS	Compton, opp Woodland Avenue	10A	Arriva Midlands
2069	Compton, adj Tettenhall Wood Institute	Wolverhampton BS	10	NX West Midlands

Today we decided to go to Bilston. Mum had some shopping to pick up from shops in the West Midlands area, so we gave Matthew a list of destination from the West Midlands and from the list he chose Bilston. He had originally chosen Walsall but went we mention we would be eating at the truck stop in Cannock on the way Matthew changed his mind and chose Bilston. Matthew got up around 10:00 and had toast and orange juice for breakfast. We set off around 11:30 and we ran down to the A5035. We ran West towards the A34 and we passed New In Lane we saw First Potteries 67641 on a #22 to Longton. By Trenthan Garden we went North up the A34 and we turned left onto Whitmore Road. We joined the A519 briefly before we went onto the Southbound M6. As we were about to go down the slip road we saw Daish's Holidays FJ08 BYO coming off the motorway. Traffic was quite light and as we travelled down to junction 10 we saw 2 x Aston Manor coaches, white minibus V310 JAT, an unidentified Prospect Coaches coach & Park's of Hamilton (National Express) LSK 835. We went West along the A454 and we followed the Black Country Route all the way to the edge of Bilston where we turned North onto the A41. We ran up the road and we turned left onto Church Street where we parked at the side of the road. Once out of the car we walked over the bridge over the tramline and we turned left into the Interchange. On the way in we saw required Arriva Midlands 2274 on a #326 to Walsall via Willenhall.

Arriva Midlands 2274 in Bilston interchange

We also saw required National Express West Midlands 1890 on a #34 to Walsall.

NX West Midlands 1890 in Bilston interchange

We walked into the Interchange and into the cafe. Matthew had a breakfast washed down with a small bottle of Cherryade. He also helped himself to some of mum's dinner as he liked the looked of it after throwing out a cute smile as mum took her first bite! Whilst we ate we saw Banga Travel YN53 ELV on a #530 service, Rotala Diamond 20002 on a #303 to County Bridge and Walsall Community Transport minibus YX09 HRU. When we had finished we said goodbye to mum and Matthew went to the the toilet. We then spotted Arriva Midlands on a #326 to Walsall so we decided to go and catch it.

Arriva Midlands 2296 in Bilston interchange

We got on the bus and we book nBus day tickets at £4.30 each before we sat down towards the back of the bus. The bus set off out of the bus station and we saw required Costal Liners ex First double decker V882 HBY on the #905 bingo bus. We turned left onto Hall Street and then turned left onto the A41. We turned right onto Mount Pleasant and right onto Beckett Street. We turned left onto Lunt Road which runs parallel to the Black Country Route for a short while and we swept North along Vulcan Road and Lunt Road on Darlston Lane. We Crossed Willenhall Road onto Moseley Road and we turned right onto Beccles Drive. We continued onto Dilloways Lane and we crossed the A454 before we entered Willenhall from the West. We decided to get off in Willenhall. We came into the town and we turned left onto Hall Street. We continued onto John Street and upper Lichfield street and we got up and got off the bus. Matthew took another picture of Arriva Midlands 2296 before it carried on towards Walsall.

Arriva Midlands 2296 in Willenhall

Once the bus went around the corner, we set off towards Cheapside and we turned right onto the pedestrianised Cross Street. At the end we turned left onto Market Place and to the end Onto new Road where the main bus stop was situated. We decided to carry on towards Walsall on a #529 which runs around every 7-8 minutes between Wolverhampton and Walsall. There was a bus due in a couple of minutes, and we did't have to wait long before required National Express West Midlands 6765 on the #529.

NX West Midlands 6765 in Willenhall

We got on the bus and we flashed the nBus day tickets to the driver before we went upstairs. The bus set off Eastwards along the B4464 and we ran the mile or so into Bentley before crossed over the M6 at junction 10. We ran along Wolverhampton Road for around a mile and we deviated off the dual carriageway past the Crown Wharf retail park and into the town centre. We continued onto Townsend Street and we turned right onto St Pauls Street where the bus station is situated at the end. We pulled into the bus station and the bus emptied out and Matthew took a picture inside National Express West Midlands 6765.

Inside NX West Midlands 6765

Once we got off the bus we walked to the toilets and Matthew used the facilities. Once we had finished we walked out of the East side of the bus station where there where a couple of vehicles parked up including dud Arriva Midlands 2706 which was about to work a #35A to Druid's Heath.

Arriva Midlands 2706 in Walsall

We walked back into the bus station and we saw National Express West Midlands 4126 about to work a #89 to Wolverhampton.

NX West Midlands 4126 in Walsall bus station

Having just missed out doing the double decker, we decided to go in a more familiar direction and do a #301 or a #302 up to Bloxwich. We saw a Rotala Diamond single decker on a #302 so we decided to do it. It was dud Rotala Diamond 30411.

Rotala Diamond 30411 in Walsall bus station

We got on the bus and we flashed the nBus day tickets to the driver before we sat down towards the back of the bus. Once again we didn't realise it was a dud bus until we got on it. The bus set off out of the bus station and we went North up Stafford Street. We crossed over the A4148 continuing North up Stafford Street and we ran the 2 miles or so up to Bloxwich passing National Express West Midlands 4190 on a #301 and National Express West Midlands 4155 on a #302 both coming the other way. When we got to town we went up the High Street and we got off just after Wolverhampton Road. We got off the bus and Matthew took another picture of Rotala Diamond 30411 before it carried on towards Lower Farm.

Rotala Diamond 30411 in Bloxwich

Across the road we saw required Arriva Midlands 2731 about to work a #326 to Bilston.

Arriva Midlands 2731 in Bloxwich

I asked Matthew if he wanted to do that bus and he said yes. We crossed the road and as we got there I realised that the bus started in Wolverhampton Road and it pulled off and around the corner to that stop. As we thought about what to do next required National Express West Midlands 4125 came around the corner on a #301 to Walsall.

NX West Midlands 4125 in Bloxwich

We flagged the bus down and we got on it. We got on the bus and we flashed the nBus day tickets to the driver before we went upstairs. The top deck was empty so as the bus pulled off Matthew took a picture inside National Express West Midlands 4125 before we sat down.

Inside NX West Midlands 4125

We deviated off the A34 onto Stafford Street and we ran the 2 or so miles into Walsall, over the A4148 and on St Pauls Street. We entered the bus station and we got up and got off. We decided that we were going back to Bilston to head off the bingo bus, which was due at the Bilston Interchange at 15:35. We walked into the town centre along the mainly pedestrianised street where all the express services stop. At one of those stands we saw National Express West Midlands 6732 on a X51 express service to Birmingham.

NX West Midlands 6732 in Walsall bus station

We turned right onto The Bridge and at the next junction we went forwards onto Bradford Street. The other bus station was at the other end of Bradford Street in Bradford Place... It was a triangle shaped area with stands on two sides. As we got to the apex of the triangle we spotted that the nearest stand was for the #34 service which I knew from buses I had seen earlier ran to Bilston. We got to the stand and within a minnute a single decker appeared. It was required National Express West Midlands 1839.

NX West Midlands 1839 in Walsall bus station

We got on the bus and we flashed the nBus day ticket to the driver before we sat down towards the back of the bus. We set of out of Bradford Place and we continued along Bradford Street onto Wednesbury Road. Just before we crossed over the A4148 we went past the Fastline depot where We saw coach BK10 EHS at the front of the depot. We crossed under the M6 North of Ikea and we ran through to Darlaston where we saw Sandwell Travel EK51 XXG on a #333X service. We crossed under the Black Country Route along darlaston lane and we zigged and zagged under the road before we came onto the road from the South side off Hare Street. We ran West along the A463 for one junction and we then turned right onto the A41 before entering the town and the bus station. We got up and got off the bus and Matthew took another picture of National Express West Midlands 1839 before it carried on towards Stowlawn.

NX West Midlands 1839 in Bilston interchange

Once off the bus Matthew went to the toilet and then we walked into town to visit a shop. There was a rather large Nisa supermarket on the corner so we went in and Matthew had a couple of small bottles of Coke and 2 chocolate bars. Once we had finished shopping we headed back to the interchange to wait the few minutes before the 15:35 was due. As we got to the stand where we need we saw Thandi T99 NND arrive on a #334 from walsall.

Thandi T99 NND in Bilston interchange

We also saw red Rotala Diamond 30861 on layover before working a #43 to West Bromwich.

Rotala Diamond 30861 in Bilston interchange

Whilst we waited Matthew had a Milky Way and a small bottle of lemonade. A few minutes later we saw the distinctive (for the area) bus approaching... As expected it was Costal Liners V882 HBY on the #905 service to Wolverhampton Bilston Street.

Costal Liners V882 HBY in Bilston interchange

We let the hoards of bingo revellers get off the bus and then we got on the bus and we flashed the nBus day ticket to the driver. We went upstairs and we sat down before Matthew took a picture inside Costal Liners V882 HBY.

Inside Costal Liners V882 HBY

It used to be 32882 in the First Midland fleet based at Redditch and was presumably sold on as surplus after the sale to Rotala Diamond. The service is an express service and doesn't have to many stops. We set off out of the bus station and onto the A41. We joined the Westbound Black Country Route and we ran for about a mile before we turned right onto the main Dudley to Wolverhampton route, Birmingham New Road. As we travelled North it was now almost dark. We passed a number of #126 branded buses including National Express West Midlands 6780 & 6786 as well at De Courcey Travel FJ11 GKN on a #410 National Express coach service heading towards Shrewsbury. after travelling around 2 miles we crossed the ring and we ran into along Snow Hill and Forwards onto Garrick Street before we turned right into Bilston Street where we got up and got off the bus. After thinking we might catch a bus around the corner into the bus station we decided to walk around the corner onto Pipers Row where the bus station is situated. When we got to the bus station we headed to the toilet and because of the way the barrier was set up not only did I have to pay 20p for Matthew (which is okay I guess), but I had to pay an extra 20p to assist Matthew getting into the toilet! Once we had used these poorly thought out toilets we headed into the main part of the bus station so that we could do a quick out and back journey We spotted required Arriva Midlands Dart 2209 on a #57 to Bilston via Willenhall. Just as we were about to get on it Matthew spotted required Arriva Midlands 4783 on a #10A to Pattingham.

Arriva Midlands 4783 in Wolverhampton bus station

We decided to do this bus as it was likely to be withdrawn from service before the end of the year. We got on the bus and we flashed the nBus day ticket to the driver before we went upstairs. The rear of the bus was empty so Matthew took a picture inside Arriva Midlands 4783.

Inside Arriva Midlands 4783

The bus set off out of the bus station and onto the ring road we came back inside the town along Broad Street and we turned right into princes square and left into Lichfield Street. We ran out of town stopping on Lichfield street and Darlington Street and we crossed the ring road onto Chapel Ash. There appeared to be about 4 buses an hour as far as Perton, but we decided to only go as far as Compton, not least because when we left we could say we came Straight Outta Compton... We continued West along the A454 and road very quickly became rural. We barrelled along in the darkness for around 2 miles and such was the village of Compton we actually passed the point where we had intended getting of and we were about a 1/3 of the way to Perton when we decided to get up and get off the bus. Once off the bus Matthew took another picture of Arriva Midlands 4783 as it went Straight Outta Compton.

Arriva Midlands 4783 in Compton

We crossed the road and we walked along for about 100 yds before we came across a brick shelter, which was most welcome as the rain started to come down heavier. There was a bus due around 16:40. As we stood at the stop we could see distant double deckers turning a corner. It turned out that if we had gone a stop further West that we would have been on the route of the #1 Dudley to Wolverhampton service! The bus turned up and it was around 10 minutes late as it got closer we saw that it was required National Express West Midlands single decker 2069.

NX West Midlands 2069 in Compton

We got on the bus and we flashed the nBus day ticket to the driver for the final time today, before we sat down towards the back of the bus. It wasn't too much of a surprise that the bus was a little late as it seemed to take quite a bit longer that the 18 minutes the journey should have taken when we left town on the Arriva bus. Wolves were playing at home and it was bound to have an effect on traffic, as well as it being the run up to Christmas. We ran back into town down the A454 and passed the Harley Davidson Shop on Chapel Ash. We crossed the ring road onto Salop Street and we ran forwards onto Cleveland Street. We turned left onto Garrick Street following required Arriva Midlands 2707 which was on the #10A service. We then turned right onto Bilston Street. It started to rain heavy and we queue for quite a while in traffic to get onto the ring road and then enter the bus station. Once we got into the bus station the bus didn't empty as the end must be treated as a circular, so we got off the bus and we set off on foot towards where mum was waiting in the car on Tower Street. On the way we saw National Express West Midlands 6760 on a #32 Northwood Park circular.

NX West Midlands 6760 in Wolverhampton bus station

We crossed Pipers Row and we met up with mum, who was waiting with the car with Greggs sausage rolls and a small bottle of Irn Bru for Matthew. We set off out of town back around to Pipers Row and onto the anti clockwise ring road. It took around 20 minutes just to get to the toher side of the bus station ans the Sat Nav took us another way to try and save us time. We turned right onto Wednesfield Road and we zigged through some street up the the A460 before we turned left and crossed back under the railway line before we joined the Northbound A449. As mum didn't have much dinner (Matthew ate 1/2 of it), we decided to stop for some chips. We tried to stop at the shops by the Ming Moon but the car park was full and flooded! It took a while to get back onto the A449, and we ran North up to Wobaston Road. There were some shops there and mum went to the Co-op and I got a few chips whilst Matthew and uncle Dave sensibly stayed in the car! We then ran North up the A449 and we got back onto the M6 at Junction 13. We ran North and we were passed by Tyrers Coaches coach TYR 15R. We left the M6 at Junction 15 and we went North up the A500 and we came off at Sideway and went east on the A50. We came off at Longton and we went to check out was was at Z Carz tonight. In the first row was Z Carz minibus FP06 WTW.

Z Carz FP06 WTW in Longton

Next in the front row was Z Carz minibus YS09 LWV.

Z Carz YS09 LWV in Longton

Nearest vehicle in the first row was Z Carz minibus HK57 LGW.

Z Carz HK57 LGW in Longton

In the second row we saw Z Carz Renault minibus MV53 KKO.

Z Carz MV53 KKO in Longton

We turned into Willow Row to see what was in the compound. We saw Z Carz Iveco minibus GK02 NWJ.

Z Carz GK02 NWJ in Longton

We also saw Z Carz Citroen minibus LV59 DZC. Further along the road we saw Z Carz minibus NA06 SUO.

Z Carz NA06 SUO in Longton

We returned onto the A50 and we went to Baths Road so we could fill up with petrol at Tesco. Once we had topped up we re-joined the A50 and we saw Wints coach L964 NWW. We came of the A50 at Heron Cross and we ran through Blurton along Blurton Road. We turned right onto Church Road and right again onto Beaconsfield Drive, getting home around 19:30. For a late tea we had bangers and mash followed by a jam filled shortbread biscuit. Matthew then chilled out on his computer until bedtime around 00:00... Mark