11C: Acocks Green

The journey on Birmingham's 11C Outer Circle...

The last time I was on Birmingham’s iconic 11C Outer Circle was in 1979. The two buses I used were part of WMPTE’s mammoth fleet of dark blue & cream Daimler Fleetlines, though I can’t remember whether they were bodied by Park Royal or MCW. What I do recall was the high volume & continual churn of passengers, and the 12-minute frequency. And all this on a *Sunday*.

Things change. Fleetlines gave way to Metrobuses gave way to the first of today’s Volvo B7TL/Wrightbus Eclipse Geminis, one of which awaits me. National Express West Midlands needs 42 of them for the 11A/11C, it’s said.

In seemingly tranquil suburbia, here is an odd place for a bus garage but its design is in keeping. Incoming is a short 11E, terminating. My 11C leaves a Metrobus at the bus stop. Fittingly, the shelter has a small reminder of the days when Birmingham buses were blue and cream, just visible to the right.

Tranquil outside it may be but it’s not so on board. There’s some oik upstairs who’s blaring tinny music from his mobile.

The distance between passenger-occupied stops gets briefly longer as the 11C continues towards Hall Green. The cityscape opens wonderfully now. On the left of the 11C is a large park.

The park’s almost empty but you can imagine dogs and playing children at the weekend, as they excitedly kick up fallen leaves. I confess at this point I am lost, and so soon. Is this still the A4040, the road along which the 11C is supposed to navigate? I don’t think it is. With neither map nor timetable, it’s easy to become confused. At least I remembered NXWM’s no change policy and boarded with a selection of coins.