Extra peak-time trains will be a ‘game changer’ 30,000 extra journeys at busiest times under new franchise
THE winner of the region’s next rail franchise will have to guarantee an extra 30,000 peaktime journeys in what has been described as a game-changer for Midland transport.
Sunday services will also be improved to match those on Saturdays and free wi-fi will be made available to passengers on all West Midland rail services by 2019.
Rival rail companies hoping to secure the franchise will be told to outline how they will massively increase the number of peak-time trains running in to Birmingham.
Details of the improvements demanded are outlined in a tender document published by West Midlands Rail (WMR) – the coalition of 14 local councils from the Greater Birmingham area – along with the Department for Transport.
Two companies are battling it out for the contract which is due to begin in October 2017.
As a minimum they guarantee:
30,000 extra peak time into Birmingham;
Sunday services to be increased to Saturday levels across network; Free wi-fi on all trains by 2019; Increased services between Bromsgrove and Birmingham and Rugeley using newly electrified lines;
New hourly services from Birmingham and Wolverhampton to Crewe via Stafford and Stoke-onTrent ;
Doubling of off-peak between Birmingham and bury;
New direct peak time service from Walsall to London;
Expansion of Oyster-style ticketing. will have to journeys service Shrews- smart
The tender document makes it clear these are minimum requirements and companies can improve on them.
West Midlands Rail chairman, Councillor Mark Winnington, who is also a member of Staffordshire County Council, said: “The announcement is a game changer in that it is the first time the region has had this level of involvement in shaping what a train company has to deliver for local passengers.
“The region has come together to grab this devolution opportunity with both hands and we believe that together with the Department for Transport we have set out a railway that brings real benefits not only for passengers but also for local businesses while supporting economic growth and jobs.
“The authorities of the West Midlands are united in this and believe the region better understands what it needs from its railway and that hav- ing greater responsibility for its management is good for passengers, good for the economy and good for taxpayers.”
The two shortlisted bidders are London and West Midlands Railway (London Midland), a subsidiary of Govia Limited), and West Midlands Trains, a subsidiary of Abellio Transport Group with East Japan Railway Company and Mitsui & Co as minority partners. They have until November 29 to submit their bids.