National Express West Midlands Soho Road line 74

The 74 is a bus route in the West Midlands, United Kingdom.

The route links Birmingham and Dudley.

History

* 03rd August 2008 - Cityspeed start operations on the 74.

* 29th June 2008 - Sandwell Travel introduce a morning service between Great Bridge and Birmingham in this direction only.

* 07th May 2008 - Diamond Bus extended their service back to Dudley, from West Bromwich/ Dudley Port.

* 25th November 2007 - Diamond Bus curb their service to run from West Bromwich/ Dudley Port as opposed to running from Dudley. Evening and Sunday service are all withdrawn.

* 22nd July 2007 - Diamond Bus increase their frequency introduce a evening service. Sunday service is re-timed.

Present

The service currently serves Birmingham, Soho Road, West Bromwich, Great Bridge, Dudley Portand then Dudley. National Express West Midlands service 74 runs every 9 minutes during the day, with 74E's (short workings between Birmingham and West Bromwich) running every 9 minutes too. Service is then reduced to every 20 minutes in the evening and 15 minutes Sundays on both 74 and 74E's creating a service every 7-8 minutes between Birmingham and West Bromwich. The service is usually run with Mercedes-Benz O405N however Volvo B7TL Alexander ALX400 and Plaxton President's are known for making an appearance. The service is run commercially.

The major competitor on this service is Diamond Bus who run every 12 minutes during the day, Monday - Saturday. There is no longer a evening and Sunday service run by Diamond Bus with the night service 74N, also ran by Diamond Bus , being withdrawn in 2006.

As of 29th June 2008, Sandwell Travel commenced operations on the 74 between Great Bridge and Birmingham, in this direction only.

National Express West Midlands currently charge a maximum fare of £1.50 on this service.

Future

National Express West Midlands service 74 will have a timetable amendement, with all 74E's on Sunday withdrawn from 31st August 2008.

Current route

;Service 74
*Birmingham
*Hockley interchange
*Soho Road, Handsworth
*West Bromwich
*Dudley Port
*Great Bridge interchange
*Dudley;Service 74E, NXWM
*Birmingham
*Hockley interchange
*Soho Road, Handsworth
*West Bromwich

External links

* [http://www.travelwm.co.uk Travel West Midlands website]
* [http://www.westbromdepot.co.uk Unoffical West Bromwich garage website]
* [http://west-midlands-buses.fpic.co.uk West Midlands Buses (Photographs)]