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Service 144: Timetable Changes

11^th February 1928

Network renumberedShow All

On Saturday 11^th February 1928, Birmingham and Midland Motor Omnibus Company Limited (BMMO—Midland “Red” Motor Services) again renumbered their stage carriage services into groups depending on their geographical location, stating with Service 100. Route numbers 1–99 were not used to avoid confusion with Birmingham Corporation routes.

• Service 125 running between Birmingham, Bromsgrove, Droitwich Spa, Worcester, and The Malvern, is renumbered to Service 144.

2^nd October 1976

Malvern depot closedShow All

Midland Red Omnibus Company Limited (MROC) closed Malvern depot at the end of operations on Friday 1^st October 1976. All local “M”-prefix services are withdrawn, and a number of long-distance services in the area are either withdrawn or cut-back. From Saturday 2^nd October 1976, a new network of services in the Malvern area is introduced, operated by Worcester depot.

• The Worcester to Malvern Wells section of Service 144 is withdrawn and partly replaced by new Service 412 running between Worcester, Powick, Malvern Link and Great Malvern (Post Office). This new service also runs via Sherrards Green, Pound Bank and Barnards Green to replace withdrawn Service M13.
• The Great Malvern to Malvern Wells section of Service 144, and withdrawn Service M16 (Great Malvern to West Malvern) are partly replaced by new Service 478 running between Ledbury, Colwall, West Malvern, Great Malvern and Malvern Wells.

13^th January 1979

“SevernLink” Market Analysis ProjectShow All

On Saturday 13^th January 1979, Midland Red Omnibus Company Limited (MROC) introduced the “SevernLink” Market Analysis Project (MAP) scheme in the Worcester, Bromsgrove and Malvern areas.

• New Service 143 introduced as a short-working variation of Service 144, running between Birmingham, Northfield, Rubery, Marlbrook, Catshill, Sidemoor, Bromsgrove and Charford.
• Service 412 and Service 413 (Worcester, Malvern Link and Great Malvern) are withdrawn and partly replaced by extending Service 144 from Worcester to Great Malvern, running via Powick, Malvern Link, Pound Bank and Barnards Green. Two morning peak-time Service 144 journeys continue to Malvern Wells.
• New timetable combining new Service 143 and Service 144, with each running every 30-minutes inter-worked to give a 15-minute frequency between Birmingham and Bromsgrove. Service 144 timings are adjusted between The Malverns and Worcester to provide better connections with the Birmingham motorway services at Worcester.

26^th May 1979

Network changesShow All

A number of changes to the “Severnlink” network were introduced from Wednesday 26^th May 1976.

• The Worcester to The Malverns section of Service 144 is withdrawn and replaced by new Service 344 running between Worcester, Powick, Malvern Link, Pound Bank, Barnards Green and Great Malvern (Post Office). Certain Service 344 journeys continue to Malvern Wells.
• Remaining “Motorway Express” Service X43 and Service X44 journeys are withdrawn and replaced additional Service M43 and Service M44 journeys. These run over the same routes between Birmingham and Worcester, then continue to The Malverns to replace Service 144 through journeys between Birmingham and The Malverns.

5^th September 1981

Midland Red Omnibus Company Limited cease tradingShow All

At the end of operations on Saturday 5^th September 1981, Midland Red Omnibus Company Limited (MROC) ceased trading as a bus and coach operator. The operation of all services are divided and assumed by five new operating companies.

• Operation of Service 143 (Birmingham, Bromsgrove and Charford) and Service 144 (Birmingham, Bromsgrove, Droitwich Spa and Worcester) pass to Midland Red (West) Limited from Sunday 6^th September 1981.

23^rd November 1985

Worcester Citibus Network LaunchedShow All

On Saturday 23^rd November 1985, Midland Red (West) Limited replaced all Worcester City Local bus services (using “W”-prefix route numbers, first introduced in 1928) with a new Worcester Citibus network of services operated with high-frequency Mercedes-Benz L608D minibuses. On the same date there are a number of significant service changes throughout the operating area.

• New timetable for Service 144 (Birmingham, Bromsgrove, Droitwich Spa and Worcester) with additional short-working journeys to give a 15-minute frequency between Worcester and Droitwich Spa when interworked with Service 141 and Service 145.

21^st February 1987

Network changesShow All

• New timetable for Service 142 and Service 144, with minor changes to journeys between 08:57 and 16:27.

28^th August 1993

Network changesShow All

• Service 144 short journey from Bromsgrove to Longbridge departing at 07:41 is withdrawn.

20^th June 1999

Bull Ring Bus Station closedShow All

On Sunday 20^th June 1999, the Bull Ring Shopping Centre, Market and Bus Station are Closed for demolition. First Midland Red Buses Limited publish a small booklet titled “All Change in Birmingham” detailing all the changes made to their bus services in Birmingham.

• Service 142 and Service 144 journeys arriving at Birmingham now operate via existing route to Navigation Street then via Hill Street to Smallbrook Queensway (Stand Ge).
• Service 142 and Service 144 journeys departing Birmingham now depart from Smallbrook Queensway (Stand Ge) running via St. Martin’s Circus and Holloway Circus, and then existing route to Bromsgrove and Worcester.
• New Service 142 and Service 144 timetable, with most journeys departing Worcester now running 7 minutes later.

2^nd April 2000

Navigation Street closedShow All

On Sunday 2^nd April 2000, Navigation Street in Birmingham was closed due to the demolition of the main Post Office. A number of services are re-routed.

• Routes for all Service 142 and Service 144 journeys arriving at Birmingham are changed to operate direct to Smallbrook Queensway from Bristol Road. Navigation Street and Hill Street Bus Stops are replaced with a new stop at Holloway Circus. Routes for journeys departing Birmingham are unchanged.

3^rd September 2000

Network changesShow All

• New Service 144 timetable on Sundays only. Most journeys now run up to 20-minutes earlier on various parts of the route, and journeys from Birmingham to The Malverns now mostly terminate at Worcester Bus Station, with a connecting bus operating from Worcester to The Malverns.

1^st April 2001

Mid and South Worcestershire Network changesShow All

• New Service 144 journey, Bromsgrove to Worcester (Monday - Friday only) departing at 06:22.
• New Service 144 journey, Droitwich Spa to Worcester (Saturday only) departing at 06:38.
• Service 144 Bromsgrove to Worcester journey departing at 07:48 now also operates on Saturdays (previously Monday to Friday only).

22^nd April 2001

Network changesShow All

A number of minor changes are made by First Midland Red Buses Limited across the network.

• Service 144 Birmingham to Longbridge (Monday to Saturday) journey departing at 05:23 is renumbered to Service 143.
• Service 144 Droitwich Spa to Worcester (Fridays only) journey departing at 23:32 is withdrawn.

7^th January 2002

Minor timetable changesShow All

• Service 144 Birmingham to Worcester (Monday - Friday only) journey departing at 07:18 now runs 5 minutes earlier between Bromsgrove Bus Station (departs 08:03) and Fernhill Heath (08:30) and arrives at Worcester Bus Station at 08:50.
• Service 144 Bromsgrove to Worcester (Monday - Friday only) journey departing at 07:48 now departs at 07:40 and runs 8 minutes earlier to Fernhill Heath (08{08) and arrives at Worcester Bus Station at 08{30. This journey continues to Sixth Form College and County Hall when required.

18^th April 2004

Network changesShow All

On Sunday 18^th April 2004, First Midland Red Buses Limited introduced a large number of changes to their bus services in Worcestershire. These are a result of both efficiencies introduced by the company and by changes to Worcestershire County Council subsidy strategy.

• Service 142 is withdrawn and replaced by additional journeys on Service 144.
• Service 144 is re-routed in Bromsgrove to serve Stourbridge Road, Princess of Wales Hospital and Catshill. Birmingham Road and Lickey End are no longer served.
• Certain Service 144 evening journeys now withdrawn or only operate on Fridays and Saturdays.
• Local Bromsgrove Service 94 is withdrawn and partly replaced by the changes to Service 144 route.
• New Service 144 timetable with most journeys now run 6 minutes earlier between Worcester and Bromsgrove. Service frequency is reduced to every 2 hours on Sundays.

6^th September 2004

Network changesShow All

Changes made to a number of services in the Worcester area, starting from Monday 6^th September 2004.

• New timetable for Service 144.

12^th June 2005

Network changesShow All

• New Alexander Dennis Enviro300 single-deck buses introduced on Service 144.

4^th September 2005

Network changesShow All

On Sunday 4^th September 2005, First Midland Red Buses Limited introduced a number of significant changes across all of their operating area. Many of these are the result of changes to contracts issued by Worcestershire County Council and include the launch of “Worcester Express” network to expand and replace the Worcester North Park+Ride Services, and the withdrawal of Malvern area “FlexiLINK” and “EasyLINK” services.

• New Service 144 timetable with service frequency increased to run every 20 minutes in each direction during the daytime.
• Many short-working Service 143 journeys between Bromsgrove and Catshill are withdrawn and partly replaced by additional Service 144 journeys.

1^st September 2009

Worcester area network changesShow All

• New Service 244 is introduced, running between Worcester, Northwick, Fernhill Heath and Droitwich Spa. The service runs every 20-minutes throughout the day, interworked with Service 144 to give a 10-minute frequency on shared parts of the route.

5^th September 2010

Network changesShow All

• Service 144 is reduced to run every 30-minutes between Worcester, Droitwich Spa, Bromsgrove and Birmingham. Additional short-working journeys operate between Worcester, Droitwich Spa, Bromsgrove and Catshill to give a 15-minute frequency on that section of the route.
• Short-working Service 144 journeys between Worcester and Catshill additionally served the Princess of Wales Hospital grounds in Bromsgrove.
• Service 244 (Worcester, Fernhill Heath and Droitwich Spa) is withdrawn and partly replaced by additional short-working Service 144 journeys.

3^rd June 2013

Network changesShow All

• Short-working Service 144 journeys running between Worcester and Catshill are renumbered to new Service 144A. These journeys now run via Webbs of Wychbold grounds in both directions.

6^th September 2015

Hereford depot closedShow All

At the end of operation on Saturday 5^th September 2015, Hereford depot was closed with all services operated from that site being withdrawn. From the follow day, a number of services operated from Worcester depot were also changed.

• New Service 147 timetable, maintaining an hourly-frequency on the full route Monday to Saturday, and a 15-minute frequency between Worcester and Catshill when inter-worked with Service 144 and Service 144A.

10^th April 2016

Network changesShow All

From Sunday 10^th April 2016, First Midland Red Buses Limited introduced a number of service cuts.

• New timetable Service 144 and Service 144A with minor adjustments to running times and additional Service 144A journeys to partly replace withdrawn Service 147. Each service is operated every 30-minutes in each direction, inter-worked to give a 15-minute frequency between Worcester, Droitwich Spa and Bromsgrove.

4^th September 2016

Network changesShow All

Revisions are made to certain services in the Worcester area from Sunday 4^th September 2016.

• New timetable for Service 144 and Service 144A introduced. Stopping places in Birmingham are revised with some historic bus stops being removed and new ones added. A list of stops is shown inside the back page of a new Service 144/144A timetable book.

15^th October 2017

Network changesShow All

On Sunday 15^th October 2017, First Midland Red Buses Limited revise most of their services, with minor changes in the Worcester City Area and on Service 144 and Service 144A, and a new network of services for Pershore and Evesham areas, and for Malvern area.

• Minor timetable changes to Service 144 and Service 144A.

9^th June 2018

“Salt Road” launchShow All

On Saturday 9^th June 2018, First Midland Red Buses Limited rebranded their Worcester, Bromsgrove, and Birmingham services to “Satl Road”, using vehicles in overall green livery.

• New timetable for Service 144 and Service 144A, which are both now rebranded as “Salt Road”.

1^st May 2022

Major Service CutsShow All

To quote the First Worcester website... “The covid pandemic has had a significant impact on bus patronage nationally, our habits and way-of-life have changed immeasurably. We're making changes to our services in accordance with how and when people are travelling across the working week and at weekends.”

• The Catshill to Birmingham section of Service 144 is withdrawn by First Worcester. The Service 144A route number is retired by First and all their journeys now run as Service 144. With funding from Worcestershire County Council and Centro, National Express West Midlands operate their Service 144A between Bromsgrove, Rubery, and Longbridge Rail Station, starting on Tuesday 3^rd May 2022, with a 70-minute frequency.