Buses in Birmingham through the years – from the 1950s to today

VaselineMay 12, 2024

1 3 minutes read

Buses in Birmingham through the years – from the 1950s to today

Transport Museum Wythall, just outside Birmingham, will celebrate 75 years of Birmingham’s iconic 50 bus route over the Spring Bank Holiday weekend with special bus tours among other activities.

On May 26 and 27, the Transport Museum, based on Chapel Lane in Wythall, just outside Birmingham, will pay tribute to the long-running 50 bus service by offering free bus rides to Kings Heath and back on the historic buses that served route since the late 1940s.

The frequent bus service 50, operated by National Express West Midlands, connects Druids Heath with Birmingham city center via Maypole, Kings Heath, Moseley and Highgate. This year he turns 75, having started running in 1949.

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Ed Rickard, Network Director for National Express UK and Ireland, said: “The bus is by far the most popular form of public transport here in the West Midlands and our 50 service has long been a Brummie favorite since it started about 75 years ago. .”

We take a look back in time at some of the buses we’ve all used in the past.

1 of 26

The number 50 bus at the old Albert Street alignment in Birmingham city centre.
At the time of the photo in the 1950s, the 50 city terminus was here, with the bus pulling away from the station.

(Image: Wythall Transport Museum)

2 of 26

Buses in Digbeth in the 1950s.

3 out of 26

Corporation Street in the 50s.

4 out of 26

Bloxwich Trolleybus Terminal 22 August 1950.

(Image: Mirrorpix)

5 out of 26

Scene outside Joseph Lucas & Son, Great King Street, Birmingham, as workers board buses for home. March 25, 1960.

(Image: Mirrorpix)

6 out of 26

Number 31 bus turns into New Street from Victoria Square, 20 September 1963.

(Image: Mirrorpix)

7 out of 26

Rush hour on the Digbeth Crossing, 17 October 1961. I used to love coming here on the bus with my mum, with only inches to spare on either side of the bus.

8 out of 26

Picture taken from the clock tower of Central Fire Station in 1957, following the terrible Halford fire and after the skeleton of the building was demolished, leaving an empty triangle of space dominating the photo. In the foreground is Corporation Street and to the left is Lancaster Street.

Buses come along Brickkiln Street and go down Lench Street.

9 out of 26

New Street, Birmingham, 20 September 1963.

(Image: Mirrorpix)

10 out of 26

Buses in the city centre, 28 October 2003.

(Image: Birmingham Post and Mail)

11 of 26

The Ashes 1968, England v Australia, Third Test Day (11-16 July) at Edgbaston Cricket Ground, (Day 1 no play, washed out), Friday 12 July 1968, spectators arriving at the ground.

(Image: Mirrorpix)

12 out of 26

Midland Red Bus Station, Birmingham. September 10, 1975.

(Image: Mirrorpix)

13 out of 26

ATV Center, Alpha Tower. Alpha Tower is a Grade II listed building which was designed as the headquarters of commercial television company ATV and part of the companies production studio complex known as the ATV Centre. ATV closed in 1982, after which the building became offices. Picture taken on August 22, 1979.

(Image: Mirrorpix)

14 of 26

Bull Ring Shopping Center in Birmingham. May 18, 1990.

(Image: Mirrorpix)

15 of 26

123 Midland Red bus leaving Birmingham bus station in October 1966.

(Image: Black Country Bugle)

16 out of 26

Midland Red Bus Station in the Bull Ring Centre. January 23, 1965. I remember it as a crowded, smoky, dangerous and scary place.

(Image: Mirrorpix)

17 of 26

Traffic traveling along both carriageways of the new section of ring road linking Dale End to Old Square, Birmingham, during rush hour diversions. January 7, 1963.

(Image: Mirrorpix)

18 of 26

The latest type of vehicle for the Transport Corporation to road test, ready for the fleet replacement program due to commence in 1962. This bus is a ‘Bridgemaster’ as it is 7 inches shorter than the Corporation’s current buses and can safely go under bridges. June 30, 1960.

(Image: Mirrorpix)

19 of 26

Traffic in Centenary Square, Birmingham, West Midlands. April 16, 1957.

(Image: Mirrorpix)

20 of 26

Steelhouse Lane, Birmingham. July 6, 1953.

(Image: Mirrorpix)

21 of 26

Stratford Road, Sparkbrook, with traffic moving along the main road past Stoney Lane. August 12, 1952.

(Image: Mirrorpix)

22 of 26

Ladywood, Birmingham, 15 August 1977.

(Image: Mirrorpix)

23 of 26

The newly opened Merry Hill Shopping Center in Brierley Hill. January 29, 1990.

(Image: Mirrorpix)

24 of 26

Solihull High Street, West Midlands. 13 Jan 1973. 154 to Birmingham via Shirley.

(Image: Mirrorpix)

25 of 26

Smethwick, March 1964.

(Image: Mirrorpix)

26 of 26

33 bus. one of the new easy-to-use buses in Dale End, Birmingham city centre. February 17, 1997.

(Image: Birmingham Post and Mail)

VaselineMay 12, 2024

1 3 minutes read

Vaseline

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