Birmingham's iconic No 11 bus route celebrates its 100th birthday on Sunday, April 26. Known as one of the longest bus routes in Europe, the 27-mile circuit around the city's outer circle has become a beloved part of local life. Here are 11 legendary reasons why Brummies love the No 11 bus, whether it is going clockwise as the 11C or anti-clockwise as the 11A.
Up to 36,000 Journeys Every Day
The No 11 route is a vital transport artery, with up to 36,000 journeys made daily. It serves over 260 bus stops, connecting passengers to key suburbs including Kings Heath, Acocks Green, Yardley, Erdington, Perry Barr, Bearwood, Harborne, and Cotteridge. Notably, the route does not travel into the city centre.
Educational Hub
The bus brings students to 233 schools, colleges, and universities along its route, making it an essential service for education.
Pub Crawl Potential
For those looking to explore Birmingham's pub scene, the No 11 passes 40 pubs, offering plenty of stops for refreshment.
Shopping Destinations
Shoppers can visit 19 retail centres along the route, including The Fort, Bearwood town centre, Harborne high street, Kings Heath high street, and Selly Oak.
Access to Healthcare
Patients can travel to six hospitals, including the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, City Hospital (Dudley Road), and the Royal Orthopaedic Hospital.
Unique Stop: Prison
The route travels to one prison, Winson Green, adding an unusual element to its journey.
Iconic Landmarks
Passengers can see iconic Brummie landmarks such as Cadbury World in Bournville and Villa Park football stadium in Aston.
Three-Hour Circuit
A full circuit on the 11 service can take up to three hours to complete, offering a comprehensive tour of the city's suburbs.
Musical Inspiration
The No 11 has inspired music and dance, including a song by The Woodbines in 1999 and a dance by Kenneth Reid of the Birmingham Scottish country dance group.
Literary Fame
The route has also inspired literature, featuring in at least one novel, Jonathan Coe's satirical bestseller 'Number 11'.
Centenary Celebrations
Transport Museum Wythall is celebrating the 100th anniversary with special trips on different buses through the ages of the 11 route over the late May bank holiday weekend. For more information, visit www.wythall.org.uk. Adam Rideout, Head of Customer Experience and Marketing at NX Bus, said: 'Bus is by far the most popular form of public transport here in the West Midlands and our iconic 11 service has long-been a Brummie favourite since it first started some 100 years ago. With buses running up to every 10 minutes and single adult tickets still only £3, and a day ticket allowing passengers to explore the region with unlimited travel on the day for only £5.20, it remains a very popular route that connects our customers in a number of key areas around the city and is part of the city's transport history.'
