The Calthorpe Estate was quite particular in what took place in their area. The Magazine mentioned disquiet over telephone wires and there was considerable resistance to tramcars; their associated wiring and street furniture. The Hagley Road route (34 after 1915) was authorised in August 1912 but did not commence until September 1913 due to opposition. The Hon. Mrs. Anstruther-Gough-Calthorpe, owner of the Calthorpe Estate did and so did 97% of the residents also did, according to Neville Chamberlain, the MP for Edgbaston.
Not everyone was totally against the trams. Some suggested Liverpool as a guide, thus Alfred Baker GM of BCTD (as it was then known) suggested a three month experimental period which included the lower deck of certain cars being fitted in a plush manner and designated First Class - with double the fare. Seating was reduced from 28 to 24. The standard rate passengers used the top deck or regular cars. The route ran from Navigation Street to Kings Head, Bearwood, but the First Class cars only traveled as far as Fountain Road. Cars 581 - 54 were new and chosen for the experiment.
It was not a success financially and ended after three months. The Harborne Railway was a strong competitor and Midland Red also ran local bus services there at the time.
However, the trams got their feet (or should it be wheels

) in the door and continued until September 1930. By this time BCT had many bus routes along Hagley Road and there was also a degree of competition, as far as Five Ways, with Ladywood route 33 trams.