Overview

A little outside of the centre, you'll find Birmingham Coach Station. This 16-stance station offers routes to destinations in the UK and Ireland It's relatively modern but has many of the same shortcomings I see at other bus stations. It's not the worst station I've visited, but there is room for improvement.

Transport & Parking

In addition to the buses that come directly to the station, there’s a bus stop at the High Street entrance where the 3, 4, 4A, 5, 6 Platinum Electric, 17, 60, 97, 97A, X1 Platinum and X2 Platinum services operate. The closest car park I found was Digbeth Public Car Park, around 320 metres away. It has 140 spaces, including two accessible bays. Charges apply for parking. If you're lucky enough to find on-street parking, it's free in pay and display bays if you have a Blue Badge, at the time of writing. Moor Street Station and Birmingham New Street Station are both located within half a mile of the coach station. I also spotted a taxi point on Mill Street and a drop-off point on Rea Street.

Access

Birmingham Bus Station is exceptionally busy, depending on which side you come in from. There are 16 stances, each with automatic doors at the entrance. The platforms are level throughout, with ramps and tactile strips to help guide you. The service desk has a dropped counter section, is clearly signposted, and includes an induction loop. There’s plenty of seating available, both near the stances and in the large waiting area. You’ll also find a Starbucks, an Uppercuts and a Whistlestop Café, all with lots of seating. At the side entrance facing the High Street, there’s a ramp with tactile rubber matting and automatic doors. At the Mill Lane entrance, you’ll find taxis, some of which are accessible. The station can be accessed from three different sides. Mill Lane has a taxi point, and the nearby crossings have tactile markings and dropped kerbs, which really help with getting around. I saw little use of Braille, the only instance being the signage at the accessible toilet.

Toilets

us station toilets often get a bad reputation, and this one is no different. The accessible toilet is located near gates 11 and 12. Braille signage is provided on both the wall and the door. The door requires a RADAR key and opens outwards. The red engaged indicator works as expected when someone is inside. It's worth noting that the turnstile to the standard toilets is positioned very close to this door, so caution is needed when entering or exiting. The toilet has space for a left-side transfer, but there are two bins in the space, making it almost unusable. Contrasting blue grabrails are installed on either side of the toilet pan; however, the white toilet seat does not contrast with the white walls. The small sink also has contrasting grabrails on both sides and a lever-style tap. A wall-mounted hand dryer and soap dispenser are also installed. There may be just enough space for a carer to assist, but it’s a tight fit for a powerchair.

Staff

Anything else you wish to tell us?

I'm informed that Digbeth has become a bit of a creative hub for poets and performers, though sadly, I didn't get to visit any local events. Ticket machines around the station are within reach for most wheelchair users.

Photos