Fleet
National Express West Midlands is one of the largest bus operators in the UK, with a fleet of nearly 1600 vehicles. A variety of bus types are used, including double-decks, single-decks, articulated 'bendy' buses, and midi-buses.
In 2011 National Express West Midlands began investing in new greener vehicles, with the addition of 120 new buses to the fleet, including 18 'hybrid' vehicles. Alexander Dennis supplied 9 Enviro 400H hybrid-power double-deck models alongside 50 EEV-approved diesel Enviro 400 double-deck models, while Volvo suppied 9 B5LH Wrightbus Eclipse Gemini 2 hybrid-power double deck models, with 52 B7RLE single-deck models. The new buses were to be progressively introduced to various garages from September 2011, however due to some delays these buses began to enter service in November 2011, with the full rollout completed early in 2012.
2012 saw a further 100 new vehicles enter service, with the addition of more Wright Eclipse Urban 2 single-deck buses at Wolverhampton, Acocks Green, Birmingham Central and Pensnett garages to replace older single deckers such as Mercedes-Benz O405N and some Volvo B6LE at Pensnett garages, Volvo B10L at Acocks Green and Optare Excel at Wolverhampton. A further 30 new Alexander Dennis Enviro200 Dart buses have entered service on routes 99, 222 and on routes at West Bromwich garage, replacing Volvo B6LE's. An extensive refurbishment programme has seen many older buses repainted into the new livery, as well as having etched windows and upholsteries replaced.
The investment is continuing in 2013, as Green Bus Funding has assisted again in the purchase of a further 21 new Alexander Dennis Enviro 400 hybrid-powered double-deck buses which have entered operation at Wolverhampton garage on route 1 Tettenhall Wood-Dudley.
The company operates the following vehicles:
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