Coventry Buses - past and present

Hi Colcov, Yes it was & it was repeated a few times in the late fifties, but only as a tour. The problem for a single operator bus network, as was Coventry Corporation, was that circle routes, either inner or outer offered poorer return on investment. As public transport was suffering from private car competition, providing a short-cut route was not what the operator wanted. The operator wanted people travelling on seats for as long as possible. That is why our No14 & 14a Inner circle route was scrapped, years ago. It was a well used service, but it took revenue off other routes. If that meant a journey into the city, for the passenger to have to then travel out again was good revenue earning. It is only by having a competitor, in this case Decourcey, where they are able to develop the route which might be viable now. ps. Birmingham has a circle route No 11, which has suffered threats to its existence over the years, in much the same way but has managed to keep going.

I see that the new outer circle route will not solve the problem of the residents of Lentons Lane. At the moment we are in a state of curfew from 4.30pm until 7.30am Monday to Saturday with no service on Sundays or bank holidays. To get to the city or the hospital it means a walk of 1/2 mile, plus no Sunday shopping or visits to the Belgrade. The other point is that there is no bus service to the rapidly expanding cemetery at the four corners on Sundays or the aforementioned Bank holidays When can we get the local councillors to put some pressure on Centro to give us a reliable regular service that as ratepayers we deserve.

Hi Tekmelf, The problem of providing public transport for outlying areas is simply usage, or lack of it. A few years ago, there was a Lenton's Lane service that I used, to go & watch my grandson play football in Shilton Lane playing fields. On Sundays I was often the only passenger on the bus. During the game I would see bus after bus travel past the ground, empty. Mr. De Courcey is passionate about providing bus travel in Coventry & if he could not make that service viable I don't believe that anyone could. Intervention with a total subsidy might be the only way there, sad to say.

c.1937

Just found this photograph by accident and spotted the bus. Gosford Street looking west towards Jordan Well

Thanks '20A', I have to admit it wasn't much of a shot of the bus But I was pretty sure you'd be able to see what it was

Hi all Our new 360 outer circle route, due to start this Sunday has been the subject of a lot of discussion on local radio this morning. It is the longest (31 miles) municipal route anywhere in Europe, a record previously held by B'ham's No 11, which that had held for 87 years.

Regarding Gosford Street, what was the reason for the objection to that particular proposed route? Oh, I obviously need some practise with the tram-spotting so I have found another one on the Binley Road! Cracking old photo with some great details. Binley Road

It wasn't so much that anyone objected as that a regular bus service had already begun. Likewise on the other proposed routes. It does still puzzle me though that Gosford Street never had a tram service, being part of the principal east-west route across the city?

Hi all I intend to travel part of the new 360 'Outer Circle' route today, its first day. I do have fears for the sustainability of this service. There has been a lot of publicity about the service, but for lots of people, reading timetables & routes is not easy. Last week, I had walked to a bus stop at the Ricoh, where an elderly couple were travelling to Walsgrave hospital. They were waiting for a No4 which travels via our city centre & takes an hour. I explained that I was going to the hospital but that I was using the 704, which gets to the hospital in twenty five minutes. They had no idea about that, what's more, they did not realise that they could use their bus pass on any bus. They thought that they could only use their bus passes on what they called the 'old corporation buses'. There are so many misconceptions about public transport, particularly in those who could benefit most from them. Many people do not realise that they can use their passes on our park & ride bus services. Somehow there needs to be an understanding about peoples understanding. I need my hand holding on any new IT aspect on our forum here, usually by Rob, which is little different for so many people, whose only concept of reading a bus route & timetable is very foggy. It is not just elderly people either. ps. A picture of the first scheduled service this morning.

The above message was posted over two years ago into its own thread, and has perhaps not been seen by newer members of the forum Sadly, Peter (aka Sandy Lane) has since passed away, but his legacy lives on for the benefit of those with an interest in Coventry and its transport history

Hi all News today that the Coventry North Park & Ride service is being axed at the end of this coming July. It is not the first time either that this service had been reviewed with a view to cutting it. I often wonder if the information about our bus services is getting through to the people who could most benefit from using it. I know that we have timetables & maps & even more interactive information on-line, but the premise for that is everyone is capable of reading & understanding the info. A third of our citizens rely on a helpful voice that they can speak to & see for all kinds of information. Even a telephone is a daunting prospect to some people, especially as they often involve selective menus. Somehow, Centro (Centro is the body that dictates routes in the West Midlands) & our local authority need to take this on board. If any member of our forum has a 'how to get anywhere' query, please don't hesitate to post your query on here. We will try to be your friendly voice of reason. ps. I am off to deliver a parcel for Pam this morning to somewhere that I have not been before. Going by bus, as you would expect. Will use part of the 360a route. Have a good day all.

In those days there was also another bottleneck at the bottom of Gosford Street where the ancient malthouse projected some distance from the building line on the north side. It was removed some years later and the road considerably widened but I've never been able to determine exactly when? Pictures of Coventry NB: The pub on the left is the New Inn and not the Fox & Vivian as you might expect.

Hi all A picture today of a well used 360a service this afternoon. This was the section of the route at my Holbrooks end. A useful point of call on this 360 route is Tile Hill railway station. I have used that connection today (Thursday)

Can I warn any one who is disabled that might have a scooter or electric wheelchair they might not be able to gain access to WM buses as some one I know the other day caught the bus into town then tried catching the bus to the hospital and was refused on with her electric wheelchair, the bus driver said scooters need a pass, she explained to the driver it wasn't a scooter but he still refused her access which made her late for her appointment, the driver stated she had to have a pass for health and safety, which now applies to the scooters some disabled people use, wheelchairs are ok, she had to complain, stating she has used the buses for 15 years with no trouble. Pool Meadow said they would have a word with the driver to tell him it's ok for electric wheelchairs.