A new bus route linking south west Birmingham with Halesowen and Bromsgrove replaces the existing 202 route from Monday (1st June).Â
As more Diamond bus services begin to resume – with new measures to help protect those making essential journeys from COVID-19 – the new 44 service will replace the 202.
The service will serve Halesowen to Bromsgrove via Quinton, Northfield, Rubery, Lydiate Ash, Catshill and Marlbrook as well as creating a new link to the Princess of Wales Hospital in Bromsgrove.
However, the new route will not include Leach Green Lane in Rednal / Rubery or old Birmingham Road in Lickey, as the 202 did.
Protecting passengers
Diamond have introduced many measures to protect passengers.
Services will operate at lower capacity and buses will have to carry less passengers than normal, to allow for social distancing. If the bus gets too busy, the driver will display a ‘Sorry Bus Full’ sign in the front window and passengers are asked to be patient and wait for the next service to come along.
Passengers are asked to allow other passengers to get off before getting on buses and to keep a sensible distance while waiting.
Passengers are encouraged to pay by cashless methods where possible. Passengers who must use cash, are asked to have the correct change as no change can be given to reduce the handing of cash by drivers.
Passengers are asked to take a window seat and refrain from sitting next to other passengers, unless they are from the same household, also leaving space in front and behind.
Windows are to be kept open to improve ventilation around the bus.
Passengers are asked to consider wear a face covering when travelling in enclosed spaces, and are advised to wash hands before and after travelling, using hand sanitiser when out and about.
Drivers have access to visors and gloves to wear while on duty.
The provider is also the first UK bus company to invest in new Thermo-fogging disinfection equipment for each of its depots.
Rotala Thermo fogger from Tim Penfound on Vimeo.
Using the technique supplied by Ionic Systems, an entire bus can be sanitised in under three minutes, by spraying a fine mist. The mist settles on every surface at every angle, remaining effective against COVID-19 and other viruses and bacteria for over 24 hours.
A Diamond spokesperson said: “We have been dedicated to ensuring the safety of passengers and drivers both during the Covid-19 lockdown and now that we begin moving slowly back towards normal life. To demonstrate our commitment to public safety, all Diamond operating depots will be implementing a daily disinfection regime that is efficient, effective and certified to guarantee that every bus begins its daily service completely sanitised and virus free.”