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Service X73: Service History

Service X73 (1929–1971)

Operated by Birmingham and Midland Motor Omnibus Company Limited

Service X73 was introduced with Service X72 by Birmingham and Midland Motor Omnibus Company Limited (BMMO—Midland “Red” Motor Services) in June 1929 partly replacing withdrawn Service 172, which was a Limited Stop version of Service 144 running between Birmingham and Worcester only. The route ran from Birmingham to Worcester over the same route as Service 144, but as Service X73 was not intended for local passengers a minimum fare system was in place, and unlike Service 172 this was not a Limited Stop Service. From Worcester, the service continued through Kempsey and Severn Stoke then crossed the river Severn to Upton-upon-Severn. Buses were required to turn around in Upton-upon-Severn before crossing back over the river to continue on the main road to Tewkesbury and Coombe Hill where it left the main road for Cheltenham Spa.

The M5 motorway opened on Friday 20^th July 1962, and BMMO examined the option or rerouting the Service X72 and the other two services in the group to run via the M5 motorway between Rubery and Worcester. In 1964 the company posted a notice in timetables stating the change in route would reduce running times between Birmingham and Worcester from 80-minutes to 64-minutes, or from 166-minutes to 137-minutes between Birmingham and Cheltenham Spa. A copy of the proposed timetable was included and there was also a questionnaire inviting passengers who used the service to voice their opinions. Those opinions were clearly not favourable as the service was not changed to run via the motorway.

in c. 1968, the minimum fare system between Birmingham and Worcester ended and the services in the group became Limited Stop on certain sections of the route, and the route in Birmingham changed to run via Rednal and Lickey. The Limited Stop sections of the route were Birmingham City Centre to Lickey, Forest Inn to Worcester City Centre, and Tewkesbury to Cheltenham Spa, with all other sections of the route being normal stopping. At the same time, a short-working variation was introduced as Service X71, running between Birmingham and Bromsgrove or Worcester only.

This whole group of services was withdrawn on Friday 31^st December 1971 and replaced by a new group of services, numbered in the range 371–373, that didn't include the Birmingham to Worcester section of the route. The Worcester to Cheltenham Spa section of Service X73 was replaced with new Limited Stop Service 373, and for those still requiring a connection to Birmingham most journeys were advertised with a connection at Worcester Bus Station with Service X43 or Service X44, but this often required a 15-minute wait.

Route Summary

Service X73 (1983)

Operated by Midland Red (West) Limited

From April 1983, “Midland Express” Service X72 and Service X73 ran between Worcester, Upton-upon-Severn, Tewkesbury, Gloucester, and Bristol, as a join operation between Midland Red (West) Limited and Bristol Omnibus Company Limited.

Service X72 operated over the same route as Service 372, direct along the A38 between Worcester and Gloucester, and likewise Service X73 followed the Service 373 which diverted around certain villages between Upton-upon-Severn and Tewkesbury. From Gloucester, both Service X72 and Service 373 then continuing to Bristol as a Limited Stop service.

“Midland Express” Service X72 and Service X73 were short-lived and were withdrawn by the end of 1983.

Service X73 (1985–1986)

Operated by Midland Red (West) Limited

New “Midland Express” Service X73 is introduced by Midland Red (West) Limited on Sunday 27^th October 1985, running daily between Wolverhampton, Stourbridge, Kidderminster, Worcester, Gloucester and Bristol. Two return journeys were provided to Bristol, with an additional short-working journey on Fridays and Saturdays. The service was interworked with Service 303 between Worcester and Wolverhampton, calling at all stops between Worcester and Stourbridge but running to a “Limited Stop” schedule between Bristol and Worcester, and between Stourbridge and Wolverhampton.

The only change to the route came on Saturday 8^th March 1986 when both Service X73 and Service 303 were diverted to run via Aggborough (Hoo Road) in Kidderminster. The service was withdrawn on Friday 29^th August 1986.

Route Summary

Service X73 (1988)

Operated by Midland Red West Limited

On Sunday 1^st May 1988, Midland Red West extended a number of their Service 372 and Service 373 journeys between Worcester, Upton-upon-Severn and Gloucester, to Birmingham City Centre via the M5 Motorway as Service X73 and Service X74.

Between Birmingham and Worcester, Service X73 ran via Bearwood, the M5 Motorway, Droitwich Spa, and Fernhill Heath, following the same route as Service X43 at that time. Service X74 ran via Selly Oak, Northfield, the M5 Motorway, Droitwich Spa and Fernhill Heath along the Service X44 route. Journeys that were not extended to Birmingham continued to operate as Service 372 and Service 373.

The Birmingham extension was short-lived and withdrawn just four-months later, after the end of operations on Saturday 3^rd September 1988. The Worcester to Gloucester section of the route was replaced by additional Service 372 and Service 373 journeys, timed to connect at Worcester with Service X43 and Service X44 journeys to Birmingham.