Central Connect
Encyclopedia
Connect Buses is the brand name used to cover all aspects of the Rotala
Group bus operations. It operates in a number of mainly urban places in the United Kingdom, with the regional brand names reflecting the places served.
. It is made up of the merger of Zak's, North Birmingham Busways
and Birmingham Motor Traction
. A deal was also signed in January 2008 for the completion of the purchase of Ludlows, Halesowen
. From November 2011 Rotala will be re-branding Central Connect as Blue Diamond .
Central Connect have branded Dennis Dart
s in a dedicated livery for Shuttle services for the NEC
in Birmingham
.
routes that were taken over from National Express West Midlands
, the S2 (S2/S2A/S2C) and S3 are operated with Optare Solo SR veichles with leather seating and on-board WIFI.
On 26 July 2010, The signature service expanded to the new route 82 (replaced 19W/19X Coventry
services) using a Mercedes-Benz Citaro and route S4 (taken over from Grosenvor) using MCV Evolution
buses again both route feature leather seating and free on-board WIFI. However on weekdays a MCV Evolution
is used on the S2/S2A/S2C and a Optare Solo SR is put on the S4. However from January 12, 3 or 4 Mercedes citaros shall be used on the S2 and S3 and they are the same as the two used on the 82.
From 27 March 2011, the Signature brand expands again with the addition of the 30 service (Solihull
-Acocks Green
) which is being withdrawn by National Express West Midlands
. The current route and timetable will remain unchanged.
School services are NOT included.
operations from Go-Ahead
. This has increased the buses owned by Central Connect by over 140, meaning that Central Connect now operates over 300 vehicles and has become the second biggest operator in the West Midlands area after National Express West Midlands
.
, Centro
and Sandwell
MBC to improve 5 key bus routes in the Black Country
(most of which have now been withdrawn/reduced) - the services having new buses branded Black Diamond. These were originally intended for the 401, 402, 404B, 404E and 404H These buses operating on the 9/404E are mainly Plaxton Centro
/Volvo B7RLE
as well as Plaxton Centro
/MAN 12.240's and 14.220's but there have been several re-painted Dennis Dart
s/Wright DAFs
in operation. On weekends operate on the 16 and other routes.
In 2009, Diamond purchased 7 "Royal" Black Diamond. These are classed as royal as they contain Leather seating and wood effect flooring. 2 of these buses are used for route 202/204 Halesowen
- Bromsgrove
and occasionally used on the 002, 255, 256, 257 and 404E.
In 2009, Rotala transferred, fuelling much controversy among staff and passengers, 7 of the Plaxton Centro
buses from Diamond to Wessex Connect, this being due to a contract with the University of the West of England to provide services.
Prior to the ultimate transfer, sister company Central Connect loaned some of the buses for some of their routes. These turned up on several routes including Route 192 Birmingham
- Kidderminster
(Stopped operating 192 service, it is now run by whittle buses and coaches) and 904 Birmingham
- Sutton Coldfield
Rotala
Rotala is an Alternative Investment Market listed company, which owns a variety of UK transport operators.Rotala was set up in 2005, with the main intention of acquiring or gaining majority interest in businesses within a number of areas.-Surrey Connect:...
Group bus operations. It operates in a number of mainly urban places in the United Kingdom, with the regional brand names reflecting the places served.
Central Connect/Blue Diamond
Central Connect is a bus operator in the West MidlandsWest Midlands (region)
The West Midlands is an official region of England, covering the western half of the area traditionally known as the Midlands. It contains the second most populous British city, Birmingham, and the larger West Midlands conurbation, which includes the city of Wolverhampton and large towns of Dudley,...
. It is made up of the merger of Zak's, North Birmingham Busways
North Birmingham Busways
North Birmingham Busways was a small bus operator established in the mid 1990s, and based near Erdington, in Birmingham. Its services operated throughout North Birmingham, using, in the main, a distinctive livery of green and cream....
and Birmingham Motor Traction
Birmingham Motor Traction
Birmingham Motor Traction was a bus company that operated a number of services in Birmingham, England.It operated a fleet of varied buses, mostly Dennis Darts in a dark blue and white livery, although many buses ran in dealer all-white...
. A deal was also signed in January 2008 for the completion of the purchase of Ludlows, Halesowen
Halesowen
Halesowen is a town in the Metropolitan Borough of Dudley, in the West Midlands, England.The population, as measured by the United Kingdom Census 2001, was 55,273...
. From November 2011 Rotala will be re-branding Central Connect as Blue Diamond .
NEC Shuttles
Dennis Dart
The Dennis Dart is a rear-engined midibus built by Dennis in the United Kingdom. More than 11,000 were built during 18 years of production....
s in a dedicated livery for Shuttle services for the NEC
NEC
, a Japanese multinational IT company, has its headquarters in Minato, Tokyo, Japan. NEC, part of the Sumitomo Group, provides information technology and network solutions to business enterprises, communications services providers and government....
in Birmingham
Birmingham
Birmingham is a city and metropolitan borough in the West Midlands of England. It is the most populous British city outside the capital London, with a population of 1,036,900 , and lies at the heart of the West Midlands conurbation, the second most populous urban area in the United Kingdom with a...
.
Signature
On 7 June 2010, Central Connect launched the Signature brand with two SolihullSolihull
Solihull is a town in the West Midlands of England with a population of 94,753. It is a part of the West Midlands conurbation and is located 9 miles southeast of Birmingham city centre...
routes that were taken over from National Express West Midlands
National Express West Midlands
National Express West Midlands , formerly known as Travel West Midlands , is the trade name of West Midlands Travel Ltd , a company which operates bus services from depots in the cities of Birmingham, and Wolverhampton, as well as the boroughs of Dudley, Sandwell, Solihull and Walsall in the West...
, the S2 (S2/S2A/S2C) and S3 are operated with Optare Solo SR veichles with leather seating and on-board WIFI.
On 26 July 2010, The signature service expanded to the new route 82 (replaced 19W/19X Coventry
Coventry
Coventry is a city and metropolitan borough in the county of West Midlands in England. Coventry is the 9th largest city in England and the 11th largest in the United Kingdom. It is also the second largest city in the English Midlands, after Birmingham, with a population of 300,848, although...
services) using a Mercedes-Benz Citaro and route S4 (taken over from Grosenvor) using MCV Evolution
MCV Evolution
The MCV Evolution is a single-decker bus bodywork built by Manufacturing Commercial Vehicles. It was unveiled in late 2004.This body is based on the frame of the Stirling but has been drastically restyled, incorporating a new roof-dome , and other new mouldings...
buses again both route feature leather seating and free on-board WIFI. However on weekdays a MCV Evolution
MCV Evolution
The MCV Evolution is a single-decker bus bodywork built by Manufacturing Commercial Vehicles. It was unveiled in late 2004.This body is based on the frame of the Stirling but has been drastically restyled, incorporating a new roof-dome , and other new mouldings...
is used on the S2/S2A/S2C and a Optare Solo SR is put on the S4. However from January 12, 3 or 4 Mercedes citaros shall be used on the S2 and S3 and they are the same as the two used on the 82.
From 27 March 2011, the Signature brand expands again with the addition of the 30 service (Solihull
Solihull
Solihull is a town in the West Midlands of England with a population of 94,753. It is a part of the West Midlands conurbation and is located 9 miles southeast of Birmingham city centre...
-Acocks Green
Acocks Green
Acocks Green is an area and ward of south Birmingham, England. It is named after the Acock family who built a large house in the area in 1370. Acocks Green is one of the four wards making up Yardley formal district...
) which is being withdrawn by National Express West Midlands
National Express West Midlands
National Express West Midlands , formerly known as Travel West Midlands , is the trade name of West Midlands Travel Ltd , a company which operates bus services from depots in the cities of Birmingham, and Wolverhampton, as well as the boroughs of Dudley, Sandwell, Solihull and Walsall in the West...
. The current route and timetable will remain unchanged.
Bus services operated by Central Connect/Blue Diamond
- S2 Solihull - Dorridge Station (Signature)
- S2A Solihull - Balsall Common (Signature)
- S2C Solihull - Balsall Common (Signature)
- S3 Solihull - Hockley Heath (Signature)
- S4 Solihull - Cheswick Green (Signature)
- S11 Solihull Circular
- S15 Solihull Circular
- 10 Birmingham - Quinton
- 10H Birmingham - Quinton
- C14 Coventry - Stivichall
- 17 Birmingham - Tile Cross
- 21 Lichfield circular
- 22 Walsall, The Butts & Paddock Circular
- 23 Lichfield Circular
- 25 Erdington - Ward End
- 27 Hawkesley - Alcester Lanes End (Sundays only)
- X30 Coventry - Ansty Park
- 30 Acocks Green - Solihull Station (Signature)
- 37 Birmingham - Solihull Station
- 42 West Heath - Rubery Great Park (Morrisons)
- 53 Erdington - Smiths Wood
- 82 Coventry - Solihull station (Signature)
- 89 Birmingham - Oldbury
- 97 Chelmsley Wood, Helmswood Drive - Birmingham
- 97A Chelmsley Wood, Bluebell Drive - Birmingham
- 99 Acocks Green - Lea Village
- 108 Birmingam - New Hall
- 119 Falcon Lodge - Sutton Coldfield
- 123 Merry Hill Centre - Perry Barr
- 167 Sutton Coldfield - Erdington
- 168 Sutton Coldfield - Erdington
- 292 Kidderminster - Bewdley - Ludlow
- 600 Erdington (Circular)
- 650 Birmingham - Kings Heath
- 654A Perry Barr - Hamstead
- 679 Wednesbury - Yew Tree Estate
- 904 Birmingham - Sutton Coldfield
- PRN Coventry - Austin Drive (Coventry Park and Ride NorthCoventry park and rideCoventry Park and Ride is a park and ride system, operated by two different operators under contract to Coventry City Council and Centro, in the English city of Coventry...
)
School services are NOT included.
Diamond
Purchase of Go West Midlands
On 3 March 2008, Central Connect purchased the Go West MidlandsGo West Midlands
Go West Midlands was a bus company based in Birmingham in the United Kingdom. It was owned by Go-Ahead Group and was formed through Go-Ahead buying Probus Management Limited and Birmingham Coach Company and merging the two...
operations from Go-Ahead
Go-Ahead Group
The Go-Ahead Group plc is a rail and bus operating company that was created following the privatisation of the UK's train and bus industries. It is listed on the London Stock Exchange and is a constituent of the FTSE 250 Index.-Early history:...
. This has increased the buses owned by Central Connect by over 140, meaning that Central Connect now operates over 300 vehicles and has become the second biggest operator in the West Midlands area after National Express West Midlands
National Express West Midlands
National Express West Midlands , formerly known as Travel West Midlands , is the trade name of West Midlands Travel Ltd , a company which operates bus services from depots in the cities of Birmingham, and Wolverhampton, as well as the boroughs of Dudley, Sandwell, Solihull and Walsall in the West...
.
Black Diamond
On the 21 July 2008 a partnership was forged between DiamondDiamond Bus
Diamond is a bus operator in the West Midlands, formed in 1986 as The Birmingham Coach Company.-Birmingham Coach Company:The company was created in 1986 as the Birmingham Coach Company operating a single route, 16, in competition with West Midlands Travel....
, Centro
West Midlands Passenger Transport Executive
The West Midlands Passenger Transport Executive , sometimes known as Centro, is a local government organisation responsible for certain transport services in the West Midlands county in England....
and Sandwell
Sandwell
Sandwell is a metropolitan borough of the West Midlands with a population of around 289,100, and an area of . The borough is named after Sandwell Priory, and spans a densely populated part of both the Black Country, and the West Midlands conurbation, encompassing the urban towns of Blackheath,...
MBC to improve 5 key bus routes in the Black Country
Black Country
The Black Country is a loosely defined area of the English West Midlands conurbation, to the north and west of Birmingham, and to the south and east of Wolverhampton. During the industrial revolution in the 19th century this area had become one of the most intensely industrialised in the nation...
(most of which have now been withdrawn/reduced) - the services having new buses branded Black Diamond. These were originally intended for the 401, 402, 404B, 404E and 404H These buses operating on the 9/404E are mainly Plaxton Centro
Plaxton Centro
The Plaxton Centro is a bus body designed by Bluebird Vehicles and manufactured by Plaxton. It was launched on the VDL SB120 in February 2006. The Centro was also made available on the VDL SB200 chassis in 2006. In 2007 the Centro was made available on the MAN 12.240 and the Volvo B7RLE chassis....
/Volvo B7RLE
Volvo B7RLE
Volvo B7RLE is a low-floor single-deck citybus launched initially in Australia in 2001, and then in the United Kingdom in 2003 to supplement the B7L single-decker, which was unsuccessful in both countries. It is similar to the B7L's predecessor, the B10BLE...
as well as Plaxton Centro
Plaxton Centro
The Plaxton Centro is a bus body designed by Bluebird Vehicles and manufactured by Plaxton. It was launched on the VDL SB120 in February 2006. The Centro was also made available on the VDL SB200 chassis in 2006. In 2007 the Centro was made available on the MAN 12.240 and the Volvo B7RLE chassis....
/MAN 12.240's and 14.220's but there have been several re-painted Dennis Dart
Dennis Dart
The Dennis Dart is a rear-engined midibus built by Dennis in the United Kingdom. More than 11,000 were built during 18 years of production....
s/Wright DAFs
Wrightbus
Wrightbus is an independent coachbuilder and pioneer of the low-floor bus. Based in Ballymena, Northern Ireland, it was established in 1946 by Robert Wright and currently run by his son William Wright.-History:...
in operation. On weekends operate on the 16 and other routes.
Royale Black Diamond
In 2009, Diamond purchased 7 "Royal" Black Diamond. These are classed as royal as they contain Leather seating and wood effect flooring. 2 of these buses are used for route 202/204 Halesowen
Halesowen
Halesowen is a town in the Metropolitan Borough of Dudley, in the West Midlands, England.The population, as measured by the United Kingdom Census 2001, was 55,273...
- Bromsgrove
Bromsgrove
Bromsgrove is a town in Worcestershire, England. The town is about north east of Worcester and south west of Birmingham city centre. It had a population of 29,237 in 2001 with a small ethnic minority and is in Bromsgrove District.- History :Bromsgrove is first documented in the early 9th century...
and occasionally used on the 002, 255, 256, 257 and 404E.
Transfer of some buses to Wessex Connect
In 2009, Rotala transferred, fuelling much controversy among staff and passengers, 7 of the Plaxton Centro
Plaxton Centro
The Plaxton Centro is a bus body designed by Bluebird Vehicles and manufactured by Plaxton. It was launched on the VDL SB120 in February 2006. The Centro was also made available on the VDL SB200 chassis in 2006. In 2007 the Centro was made available on the MAN 12.240 and the Volvo B7RLE chassis....
buses from Diamond to Wessex Connect, this being due to a contract with the University of the West of England to provide services.
Prior to the ultimate transfer, sister company Central Connect loaned some of the buses for some of their routes. These turned up on several routes including Route 192 Birmingham
Birmingham
Birmingham is a city and metropolitan borough in the West Midlands of England. It is the most populous British city outside the capital London, with a population of 1,036,900 , and lies at the heart of the West Midlands conurbation, the second most populous urban area in the United Kingdom with a...
- Kidderminster
Kidderminster
Kidderminster is a town, in the Wyre Forest district of Worcestershire, England. It is located approximately seventeen miles south-west of Birmingham city centre and approximately fifteen miles north of Worcester city centre. The 2001 census recorded a population of 55,182 in the town...
(Stopped operating 192 service, it is now run by whittle buses and coaches) and 904 Birmingham
Birmingham
Birmingham is a city and metropolitan borough in the West Midlands of England. It is the most populous British city outside the capital London, with a population of 1,036,900 , and lies at the heart of the West Midlands conurbation, the second most populous urban area in the United Kingdom with a...
- Sutton Coldfield
Sutton Coldfield
Sutton Coldfield is a suburb of Birmingham, in the West Midlands of England. Sutton is located about from central Birmingham but has borders with Erdington and Kingstanding. Sutton is in the northeast of Birmingham, with a population of 105,000 recorded in the 2001 census...
See also
- Bus services in Bristol
- Transport in BirminghamTransport in BirminghamBirmingham is a major transport hub, due in part to its location in central England. Public transport in the city is overseen by the West Midlands Passenger Transport Executive whose public brand is Centro/Network West Midlands.-Railways:-History:...
External links
- Connect Buses Website
- Connect Buses - Surrey and Sussex Website
- Central Connect Website
- The website for the re-branding of Central Connect to Blue Diamond
- UniConnect Website
- Royal Bath Website
- Wessex Connect Website
- Rotala Group Website
- Flights Hallmark Website
- Bristol City Council - Park and Ride
- Bristol UWE - Bus Services