Transport Museum Wythall Supports launch of Catch The Bus Month in Coventry

Senior Management of Bus Operators serving the West Midlands alongside Mayor Richard Parker and representatives from Transport for West Midlands (TfWM) and Bus Users UK alongside Transport Museum Wythall Midland Red D9 BHA399C outside Coventry Transport Museum

Transport Museum Wythall supported Transport for West Midlands and Bus Users UK at the launch of Catch the Bus Month in Coventry on Tuesday 2nd September 2025. The national month to encourage travellers across the country to give the bus a go was marked by the Midland Red D9 being placed front and centre at the event outside Coventry Transport Museum alongside four electric buses belonging to National Express West Midlands and Stagecoach Midlands.

Members of the public sat behind the steering wheel of the Midland Red D9 at the launch event

The presence of the Midland Red D9 from the museum's collection was a real head turn with lots of interest from the public. Transport for West Midlands handed out large quantities of the museums promotional leaflet throughout the day as locals reminisced days gone by on the 159 between Coventry and Birmingham with Midland Red.

As well as members of the public - Mayor of the West Midlands Richard Parker also took the opportunity to check out the drivers seat of the D9

As well as the launch outside, a conference was held inside where Richard Parker delivered a speech about the exciting future ahead with Bus Franchising as well as speeches from representatives of Transport for West Midlands.

An enjoyable day was had by all with members of the public getting a variety of freebies including one week of free travel.

Young Trustee Adam Marsden said: "Today was an excellent day to put the museum on the map by helping launch a national campaign. Seeing the D9 draw in crowds was fantastic to see and it is brilliant that the Transport Museum Wythall continues to foster great relationships with organisations such as Transport for West Midlands. I was taken aback by the enthusiasm to find out more about the museum vehicle throughout the day from a wide demographic of people. I hope its presence will have inspired them to both catch the bus and find out more about our organisation."

Young Trustee Adam Marsden modelling a "Catch the Bus Month" hand inside the D9 as part of a promotional photoshoot for Bus Users UK

Midland Red D9 BHA399C of the Transport Museum Wythall collection arrived early for the set up of the Catch the Bus Month launch event