Birmingham Reroutes 48 Buses for City Run

Birmingham diverts 48 bus routes on May 3 for Great Birmingham Run until 4 p.m.

Birmingham Reroutes 40+ Buses for May 3 Run

Birmingham transit riders should plan for major service changes Sunday, May 3, as over 40 bus routes will be diverted for the Great Birmingham Run, transit officials said. The diversions will affect access to New Street Station, the Markets, and Millennium Point, with most services terminating at alternative stops or following rerouted paths through the city centre. Road closures will be in effect from the start of service until approximately 4 p.m., with Jennens Road remaining closed until about 6 p.m.

Context

The Great Birmingham Run is an annual running event that draws thousands of participants through the city centre, requiring extensive road closures to ensure runner safety. Transit agencies typically reroute bus services during major civic events to maintain service while accommodating street closures. The scale of this year's diversions reflects the race route's path through key transit corridors including Moor Street Queensway, Broad Street, and sections around Five Ways Island and Digbeth. Officials said the temporary changes are necessary to balance public transit access with event operations.

Details

The diversions will affect 48 bus services in total, including routes 1, 2, 3, 4, 4A, 5, 6, 8A, 8C, 9, 12, 13, 14, 16, 17, 17A, 23, 24, 35, 45, 47, 50, 60, 61, 63, 66, 80, 82, 87, 94, 95, 97, 97A, 101, 126, X1, X2, X3, X4, X5, X8, X10, X12, X13, X14, X20, X21, and X22. Many services will use alternative termination points such as Digbeth Coach Station stops and Snow Hill Queensway, according to the transit agency. Key roads affected include Moor Street Queensway, Jennens Road, Broad Street, and various sections around Five Ways Island and Digbeth. Officials advised passengers to check specific service diversions before traveling.

Timeline

The road closures and bus diversions will begin at the start of service on Sunday, May 3, and continue until approximately 4 p.m., transit officials said. Jennens Road will remain closed for an additional two hours, reopening around 6 p.m. The extended closure on Jennens Road reflects its role as part of the race finish area, officials said. Normal bus service is expected to resume once road closures are lifted.

Impact

Riders traveling to New Street Station, the Markets, or Millennium Point should expect longer journey times and different boarding locations on May 3. Transit officials advised passengers to allow extra travel time and confirm their specific route's diversion details before heading out. Moovit provides real-time updates for Birmingham bus services, helping riders navigate temporary route changes and find alternative stops during the event. Officials said detailed diversion information is available for each affected service route.