On Our Way

Two people are sat on the seats in front of a bus stop shelter decorated with stain glass style patterns.

By Nilupa Yasmin

We all have fond memories of taking the bus – from the after school bants, going to work, or into town to get a few bits. But throughout lockdown, buses ensured that hundreds of thousands of key workers were able to get to work. On Our Way celebrates how although the 74 route has barely changed, the people who use it and the buildings around it have. The pandemic experience is one episode in its long history.

Working with community groups and organisations, Artist Curator, Nilupa Yasmin has converted bus stops along the iconic 74 bus route into galleries on Soho Road. This project was originally conceived by Aksana Khan. It’s a project which aims to celebrate the local residents who make up North Birmingham and their stories of what makes a community, a community.

Generously supported by Arts Council England and The National Lottery Heritage Fund. Supported using public funding by the National Lottery through Arts Council England, Birmingham City Council, Greater Birmingham & Solihull Local Enterprise Partnership, Garfield Weston Foundation, Transport for West Midlands, National Express West Midlands and Soho Road BID.

Images © Ahsen Sayeed

Bus Stops

There’s a total of eight bus stop galleries on Soho Road. You’ll find half of them on the route to West Bromwich, and the other half on the 74 route into town.

If you’d like to find out more, get in touch with [email protected]

If you’re curious, this project is called “On Our Way” because the bus stop galleries are literally on your way to Soho Road, as well as a reflection of its original inspiration – the 1963 Bristol Bus Boycott. This boycott was a key moment in pushing towards the first ever legislation that explicitly outlawed racial discrimination, the Race Relations Act. Given recent discussions on racism, we are still “On Our Way” to fighting for justice.

You can find out more about this project on tothestreets.co.uk/on-our-way

On the number 74 route on Soho Road which goes into the city centre, you’ll find four bus stop galleries: