The Transport Museum Wythall will celebrate the 75th anniversary of Birmingham’s 50 service this Spring Bank Holiday weekend (26-27 May).
The iconic service, which is currently operated by National Express West Midlands, connects Druids Heath and Birmingham city centre via the Maypole, Kings Heath, Moseley and Highgate.
The public will have chance to take free rides to Kings Heath and back on historic buses which have frequented the route over the last three quarters of a century.
The museum, which is just south of Birmingham, will host other activities and memorabilia stands.
The service originally terminated at the Maypole and, in 1981, it was extended to Druids Heath. It now has 38 stops in one direction and 37 in the other.
Ed Rickard, Network Director for National Express UK and Ireland, says: “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 favourite since it first started some 75 years ago…
“We hope families and friends will go along to the Transport Museum this Spring Bank Holiday and enjoy a trip down memory lane with all of the historic vehicles that have served our renowned 50 route over the last three quarters of a century.”
Malcolm Keeley, Collections Manager at the Transport Museum Wythall, adds: “The 50 bus service took over in 1949 from the tramcars that ran as far as Alcester Lanes End.
“It has always been a busy service and the Transport Museum Wythall is delighted to be celebrating its 75th birthday while wondering just how many millions of passengers the 50 has carried during all those years!
“On the day, we will be running several generations of buses between our museum and Kings Heath. We shall follow the 50 route in one direction, and in the other for variety, to show our passengers parts of the attractive suburb they may not be familiar with.”
