Standing room only as commuters feel squeeze City suffers some of most overcrowded trains outside capital
BIRMINGHAM’S trains are some of the most overcrowded in the country with hundreds of passengers crammed on to coaches which are already over their official capacity.
More than 6,000 passengers on a typical weekday morning are forced to stand for their rail journey into Birmingham.
The misery facing rush hour commuters was revealed in new figures published by the Department for Transport.
And they show that the problem is getting worse. The number of passengers arriving in Birmingham every day is 124,900 – more than any other city outside London.
Around a third of these, travel into the city in peak time, between 7am and 9.59am. During the peak time, 2.4 per cent of passengers arriving in to Birmingham were on trains which were actually over their official capacity.
That is 1,039 passengers over the three hour period – every day.
And one in seven passengers travelling to the city during the peak period are forced to stand.
The figures suggested overcrowding was getting worse with 6,200 rail passengers standing for their journey in to Birmingham on a typical morning in 2015 – up from 4,610 in 2014 and 3,535 in 2013.
The figures were based on a typical autumn weekday.
The most crowded train services to Birmingham were those run by Chiltern Railways or London Midland.
The services where passengers were most likely to get a seat at peak times were those run by CrossCountry or Virgin Trains West Coast.
However, the Department for Transport report highlighted the redevelopment of New Street station as one of the few positives which had improved the service for commuters.
It stated: “On an average weekday 125,000 passengers in total travelled into Birmingham across the whole day.
“Birmingham has the largest number of passengers of any city outside London.
“In September 2015, New Street station renovation work was completed, including construction of a larger station concourse, better pedestrian access and improved accessibility.”
Local transport bosses have now announced a new plan to improve rail services. Passengers are in line for a range of benefits and enhanced services following the signing of a new partnership deal between Transport for West Midlands, the local transport authority and train operator London Midland.
They have agreed a 45-point plan which includes developing better services on the Chase Line following electrification, working together to fully integrate the Midland Metro at Birmingham’s New Street station, and maximising the opportunities brought by high speed rail.
Other benefits include working to support the proposed redevelopment of Wolverhampton Station and identifying suitable sites to expand the hugely popular park and ride scheme at stations.
There was also a pledge for greater use of wi-fi for passenger services, improved ticket machines at stations and enhanced CCTV on board trains.
Transport for West Midlands is part of the new West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA).
Councillor Roger Lawrence, transport lead for the WMCA, said: “Demand for rail services is as high as it has ever been so it is crucial we work together to develop and extract the maximum benefits from the network for the passenger.
“I am confident this joint agreement will be good news for passengers as it cements the good work that has already been done and sets out the foundations of further improvements.”
London Midland managing director Patrick Verwer said: “We have a strong history of working in partnership in the West Midlands.
“The improvements we are planning to introduce over the next 15 months are based on what local people have said are important to them.
“These are exciting times for the region. London Midland has supported the idea of devolution as it helps us get closer and respond more quickly to the needs of local rail users.”
Demand for rail services is as high as it has ever been Councillor Roger Lawrence