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Your CommunityYou are in: Birmingham > People > Your Community > Bus tours are back ![]() Bus tours are backBBC WM's Phil Upton celebrated the return of open top bus tours to Birmingham on Friday 24th April 2009 with a live broadcast of his breakfast show from the 'Big Brum Open Top Bus'. ![]() Driver's side of the bus Open top buses haven't been part of the city's tourist culture since around 1996 when they were scrapped due to budget concerns. In March 2009, Sue Behan of Birmingham Tours told Phil Upton @ Breakfast of her plans to bring them back to help the city's tourist trade. Sue qualified as a Blue Badge Guide in 2000 and since then has been providing panoramic coach and walking tours of the city with the help of other guides. ![]() Bullring from above And now she's ready to launch the 'Big Brum Open Top Bus' which takes to Birmingham's streets in April. "I am proud to be a Brummie and wanted our city to be in line with other major cities in the UK and abroad," she said. "This is a very exciting venture for us, especially in the current economic climate. Although we have initial sponsorship from Birmingham based Europa Translations Ltd we are looking for further sponsorship to keep the bus on the road. ![]() Birmingham Town Hall - landmark "In the meantime we hope everyone will support us and enjoy this special opportunity to see so much more of their great city." Phil Upton @ Breakfast was live from the 'Big Brum Open Top Bus' between 7am and 10am on Friday 24th April, just prior to the official launch at 11am from Church Street, Colmore Row next to St. Philip's Cathedral. Tours for the public began following day at 10.30am, 12pm, 1.30pm and 3pm, running every Saturday until 26th September. ![]() BBC WM's Phil Upton The route includes a ride around Birmingham's commercial sector near Colmore Row, the Jewellery Quarter, the redeveloped Eastside, Broad Street and Edgbaston. Tickets are on sale now at the Tourist Information Centre on 0121 202 5000, Call Centre Ticket Sales Line on 0844 8883883 or Birmingham Box Office on 0121 303 2323. For private bookings or further details, click the link below: The BBC is not responsible for the content of external websites last updated: 27/04/2009 at 15:46 Have Your Say
Keith Bracey
Jackie Knox
Sue Behan
Margaret Hurlston
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Fiona Walker
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alan wallis
wayne hopkins
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Chris
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