Thursday, 15 September 2016
What's half an X96?
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2 comments:
It surprised me after deregulation when the X96 ended up as a tendered service; although I never really remember it being massively busy I'd always assumed it held its own, but clearly I was wrong.
Mind you, Midland Red (North) nearly killed itself in that first year after deregulation with the massive expansion into the West Midlands and into Derby, so I suppose that in the aftermath of the "Night of the Long Knives" anything which was only marginally profitable was doomed.
Somehow it never seemed quite right seeing Williamsons' coaches in the Bull Ring Bus Station, though.
Still, even if the X96 had survived in MR(N)'s hands, I doubt Arriva would have persevered with it. I read in the latest Omnibus Society Midland branch newsletter that Arriva have deregistered the 116 between Birmingham and Tamworth (via Kingsbury), which in the old days used to perform better than the 110 via Sutton Coldfield. I suppose traffic patterns change over time, but I can't help but feel that Arriva doesn't always seem to make much effort to actually go out and get custom. :(
Ross, I'm not so sure the X96 wasn't viable in BMMO days at least for it was just like any other stage service except of course not carrying local traffic. Arriva have really been cutting back too in the Midlands now that Stafford garage has gone and Midland Classic have taken over Burton. It seems even Tamworth garage doesn't pay it's way any more and the only one that does is Wellington or is it Telford now.
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