National Express West Midlands puts out appeal to find two former Birmingham bus staff

(c) John Robinson issued by National Express West Midlands

We recently received a Press Release from National Express West Midlands which caught our attention.

Is it really 40 years since bus conductors in Birmingham last donned a ticket machine and uttered the words “any more fares please”, or words to that effect.

Yes, it seems it was - 17th March 1978 to be precise.

How time flies!

Now 40 years on from the last day of West Midlands Passenger Transport Executive (WMPTE) conductor operations, National Express West Midlands is hoping to locate two former employees that were photographed in Acocks Green.

John Robinson, a keen bus enthusiast, contacted the bus operator to ask for help in tracking down those photographed.
The image shows the pair on Westley Road in Acocks Green.

John said: “I think at the time I took the photograph it was a crew changeover, so if it was the end of their shift the conductress will have just issued her last tickets and would probably have been a very poignant moment for her.”

To mark the forty year anniversary, National Express West Midlands has offered to help John recreate the same scene, with the same individuals pictured next to a current double-decker.

Tom Stables, Managing Director of National Express West Midlands said: “We really hope that somebody might recognise the lady and gentleman in John’s photograph. There is so much history behind public transport in our region and we would love to mark this forty year anniversary by recreating the scene.”

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