As quintessentially Brummie as the Bullring bull, Ozzy Osbourne, and the Rotunda, Birmingham’s famous National Express West Midlands No.11 bus route is celebrating its 100th anniversary on Sunday, April 26.
Established in 1926, the No.11 route is one of Europe’s longest continuous bus services, tracing a 27-mile circuit around Birmingham’s outer city. It operates both clockwise and anti-clockwise, covering more than 260 bus stops along the way.
This iconic route serves an estimated 36,000 journeys daily, linking key locations including 233 schools, colleges, and universities, 40 pubs, 19 retail centers, six hospitals, and one prison. It also connects around 15 commercial hubs, passes popular attractions like Cadbury World in Bournville, and runs near Villa Park. A complete loop on the No.11 can take up to three hours to complete.
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The route’s cultural impact is notable as well – inspiring a 1999 song by The Woodbines, a traditional dance by Kenneth Reid from the Birmingham Scottish Country Dance group, and even featuring in West Midlands author Jonathan Coe’s satirical bestseller titled Number 11.
Adam Rideout, head of customer experience and marketing at NX Bus, shared: “Bus travel remains the most popular public transport choice in the West Midlands. Our iconic No.11 service has been a Brummie staple for 100 years. With buses running every 10 minutes, single adult tickets costing just £3, and day tickets offering unlimited travel for only £5.20, it remains an accessible and vital route. It connects customers to many key areas around the city and is a proud part of Birmingham’s transport heritage.”
To commemorate the centenary, Transport Museum Wythall will be hosting special trips featuring buses from different eras of the No.11 route during the late May bank holiday weekend. These celebrations highlight the enduring legacy and ongoing importance of Birmingham’s beloved No.11 bus route.