Buses are a vital lifeline for many residents in Birmingham, helping people get to work, school, and other important places. However, some of these bus routes have developed a notorious reputation. Shocked passengers have even described certain services in the city as “carnage” and likened them to the “Wild West.” The West Midlands Mayor, Richard Parker, has also expressed concerns, stating that the current bus system is failing and needs a shake-up. His solution? A franchise model that could hopefully bring some order to the chaos.
But are these buses really as bad as they say? That’s what I set out to discover by hopping on one of the most infamous routes—the 11a/11c Birmingham Outer Circle. This bus service has often been criticized online, with many users calling it one of the worst in the region. Armed with curiosity and a bit of skepticism, I decided to take a ride on the 11c from Perry Barr to Acocks Green to see if I could experience the so-called madness firsthand.
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Setting Off on the ‘Wild West’ Bus
The day I chose for my journey was a typical gloomy summer day in Birmingham—cold, gray, and miserable. Despite the negative reviews, I was pleasantly surprised when the bus arrived exactly on time, matching the ‘real time’ display on the electronic board at the shelter. Punctuality had been a major complaint, but today, at least, the bus was right on schedule.
As I got on the bus, I noticed it was already fairly busy, even though I’d missed the morning rush hour. Seven people boarded with me, and just three stops later, the bus was almost full. I was expecting a quiet ride, but clearly, I hadn’t accounted for the elderly passengers who were now free to use their bus passes after the 9:30 AM restriction had lifted.
The Journey Begins: A Smooth Start
I settled in at the back of the bottom deck, which gave me a good view of everything happening on the bus. Almost immediately, there was a minor hiccup—a passenger’s debit card wouldn’t swipe on the payment machine. He looked slightly annoyed but didn’t cause any trouble and quietly got off the bus. It was a potential flashpoint, but it passed without incident, much to my relief.
As the bus made its way through the outer areas of Birmingham, passing through Erdington, Stetchford, and Yardley, I was struck by how ordinary and drama-free the ride was. These areas were bustling with activity, but inside the bus, everything was calm. The infamous “Wild West” atmosphere I had expected was nowhere to be found.
A Brief Moment of Drama
The most noteworthy incident of the entire journey happened when one passenger lost his balance and spilled some of his coffee on an elderly man sitting next to him. The man was visibly embarrassed and quickly pulled out some tissues to clean up the mess. However, the elderly gentleman just laughed and reassured him not to worry about it. It was a small, human moment that stood out in an otherwise uneventful trip.
The Final Stretch: Reaching Acocks Green
As we approached Acocks Green, the bus remained remarkably clean and free of any unpleasant smells, despite the occasional substance that looked like curry powder on a seat next to me. After about 50 minutes, we reached our final destination without any issues. The journey had been smooth and surprisingly pleasant, far from the horror stories I’d read online.
The Return Trip: A Taste of the Complaints
But my journey wasn’t over yet—I still had to make my way back to Perry Barr. This time, I encountered one of the common complaints from other passengers: buses arriving in clusters. Within a couple of minutes, three 11a buses pulled into the stop, none of which were going back to Perry Barr. My frustration grew as several buses passed by with “not in service” displayed on the front. At one point, I even joked to myself that I should move to this mysterious place called “not in service,” given how many buses seemed to be heading there.
Just when I was about to lose hope, a bus finally pulled into the stop, and the driver announced it was heading to Perry Barr. It felt like a small victory, as if the bus gods had finally granted my wish.
Heading Back: A Pleasant End to the Day
The return journey was as uneventful as the first. There were no unpleasant smells, and the seats were free of any suspicious substances. We picked up and dropped off passengers regularly, and everyone seemed content. Even the usually scarce Metro newspapers were still available, with passengers quickly grabbing them as we continued on our way.
After arriving back at Perry Barr, I couldn’t help but feel that my experience on the “Wild West” bus had been far from wild. The journey was smooth, the passengers were polite, and the bus itself was clean and punctual. Perhaps the online complaints were valid at one point, but today, the 11c route seemed like any other bus service—reliable and efficient.
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Final Thoughts: The Reality of Birmingham’s Buses
While my journey on the 11c didn’t live up to its notorious reputation, it’s important to remember that bus experiences can vary greatly depending on the time of day, the route, and even the weather. The concerns raised by passengers and the West Midlands Mayor are still valid, and improvements to the system could certainly make a difference.