West Midlands Connects East Birmingham to Airport
New bus route 97 connects east Birmingham neighborhoods to airport with half-hourly service
Birmingham Adds Airport Bus Route 97
East Birmingham residents now have direct airport access through National Express West Midlands' new route 97, which launched September 1. The service connects Birmingham city centre, Stechford, Lea Village, Sheldon and Elmdon with Birmingham Airport, running every 30 minutes Monday through Saturday. Officials didn't release ridership projections or cost details for the new route.
Service Fills East Birmingham Gap
The route addresses a longstanding connectivity gap for east Birmingham communities, which previously lacked direct bus service to the airport serving 12.4 million passengers annually. Transit officials said the service aims to reduce car and taxi use for airport trips. The launch aligns with broader UK transit industry focus on improving airport access through public transport. Specific fare information wasn't detailed in the announcement, though standard National Express West Midlands ticketing applies.
Half-Hourly Weekday Service
Route 97 operates with two buses per hour Monday through Saturday, dropping to hourly service on Sundays. The service stops at Birmingham city centre, Stechford, Lea Village, Sheldon and Elmdon before reaching the airport terminal. David Bradford, managing director of National Express West Midlands, oversees the service expansion. Officials haven't said whether additional routes or frequency increases are planned based on ridership performance.
Service Already Operating
The route began operating September 1, with National Express West Midlands announcing the launch two days later on September 3. The quick implementation suggests planning occurred over preceding months, though officials didn't provide details about the development timeline. The service joins existing airport connections from other parts of Birmingham and the wider West Midlands region.
Direct Airport Access for Riders
The new route gives east Birmingham residents an alternative to driving or taking taxis for airport trips, with regular service throughout the week. Officials said the half-hourly frequency makes trip planning easier for passengers catching flights or working at the airport. Moovit provides real-time schedule information and service updates for route 97 and other National Express West Midlands services.
