THE BLOXIDGE TALLYGRAPH

A Wright Eclipse Urban arrives at Lower Farm Shops terminus on Buxton Rd. 

Dateline:  24 June 2009

 

The Forrener has been waxing lyrical (whingeing) lately about the 301 Mossley bus route being supplied with brand new luxury air-conditioned Scania buses by National Express West Midlands while Lower Farm folk have been resigned to putting up with older (and hotter!) buses and a poor off-peak timetable and route.

 

Well, he'll be slightly mollified to hear that there's now been a sudden influx of two-year-old Wright Eclipse Urban buses on the 302 route between Walsall and Lower Farm which had formerly been on the 311 Stourbridge run.  And yes - these do feature air conditioning and better seating, so 'Farm folk will be having a cooler and less bum-numbing ride into Walsall as global warming takes hold.

 

Astronomers and fans of bus trivia will be intrigued to know that the Eclipse and its sister design the Solar were named for a solar eclipse which was visible in the UK in 1999, the year of its introduction.

 

The question now is, will the new (old) buses improve off-peak punctuality on the 302 route?  No doubt The Forrener will be watching...

 

Bus spotters will naturally be wanting to check out this link for more info.