National Express gets city transport rainbow-ready ahead of Birmingham Pride

In what is becoming a tradition for the second city, National Express West Midlands have again painted the city with the pride rainbow ahead of this year’s Birmingham Pride festival.

The event, the UK’s largest two-day pride festival, will see tens of thousands of visitors descend on the city. In a display of support and solidarity, National Express West Midlands have painted buses, trams, information points and bus stops in the city centre with the iconic LGBTQ+ rainbow flag.

A Birmingham tram displays the 'Connecting Communities' rainbow overlay at New Street Station — A Birmingham tram displays the ‘Connecting Communities’ rainbow overlay at New Street Station

Titled, ‘Connecting Communities’, the project aims to combine transport throughout the region with a message of solidarity and visibility to LGBTQ+ identifying individuals across the region.

Revealing the news on social media, Birmingham Pride have told eager festival goers to, ‘keep an eye out for the bus on routes around the city’ and to, “send us your photos when you spot it!”.

Birmingham Pride co-director Lawrence Barton joined in the launch of the new designs by taking the driver’s seat on a rainbow-wrapped double-decker bus, one of which will join the parade from Victoria Square to Hurst Street on Saturday 25th May.

According to organisers, the local community and visitors will be able to enjoy the noticeably colourful transport upgrade throughout the city during Birmingham Pride. National Express West Midlands hopes the display projects a commitment to promoting the visibility of LGBTQ+ identifying individuals across their services.