[GB] The End of Metrobus Operations - West Midlands
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After a remarkable 32 year of service, the time has finally come for the iconic MCW Metrobus to stand down from National Express West Midlands. Yesterday (24th July), the final trio from Acocks Green garage, 2832, 2903 and 2988, took to the street to serve fare paying passengers for the very last time.

To mark the event, a number of guest vehicles turned up, vast majority of them being Metrobuses of course, for the occasion.

To make sure the general public were aware of the occasion, the Metros were all decorated, if not remarkably so, by the garage staff.

And of course, the significance of the event was not lost to those working with the type for years:

At around 1015, Metrobus 2832 leaves the garage to begin its first duty for the day, a short run to Solihull Station on the 37E.

A little while after, 2903 and 2988 also turned up. The latter spent its final day of service on the anticlockwise Outer Circle service 11A (and curtail runs 11E), a 2-hour service looping around the outskirt of Birmingham.

Meanwhile, 2903, the Metro having the honour of operating on the final day of Metrobus service in Walsall garage last year, takes up the duty on route 1.

After spending the day on a number of Acocks Green services, such as the 72, 31E, and the 37, 2832 pulls into in Birmingham City Centre as a passenger service vehicle, along with a duplicate run by preserved Brimingham City Transport 2489 Crossley, for the very last time for its final duty on 37E, a curtailed service to Acocks Green.

The Crossley turned out to be the only duplicate run of the day, as the others were prohibited for health and safety reasons. However, former Travel Coventry Metrobus 3065, now preserved, made a brief appearance, and a sneaky short duplicate alongside 2988, which is finishing its Outer Circle duty for the last time.


The honour of the final Metrobus service for NXWM though, falls to Walsall veteran 2903 on the 1. It arrives at Acocks Green at 1520, concluding 32 years of service life of the type.

From there, it ran dead, completely packs with passengers, back to Acocks Green garage for the very last time:


...with hundreds of well wishers coming for the send off.

At 1540, the time has finally come. 2903 pulls into Acocks Green garage for the final time, bring down the curtain of the Metrobus in West Midlands.

For many people in the local area, the Metrobus is not just another bus. It represents the final line of buses that has been built in the region. It was built in West Midlands, to serve the folks in West Midlands. The appreciation shown by the general public and the operating staff demonstrates how special the Metrobus has been to the locals.
Thanks for 32 years of sterling service, and RIP.

[ 本帖最後由 NV58 於 2010-7-25 20:04 編輯 ] |
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Tinyl Bus Photography - FB Group
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http://mariokwok.fotopic.net
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Splendid shots from you guys!!!!
Off topic,
The country is getting funnier than ever. What's health and safety to do with running duplicates en-route? |
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老二做PR, GER 走晒, Inevitable
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Great to see that some MCWs will attend Showbus this year, especially for 3053! |
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媽屐停
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Great photos everyone!
Sad that I couldn't join the day finally...
(went to Cambridge instead on that day)
Hope these three buses will also be preserved. |
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We're part of The Go-Ahead Group
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