Rail franchisee needs to invest in station staff

ON Sunday, there will be a new franchisee taking over the running of West Midland rail services, namely West Midland Trains, a consortium of Dutch and Japanese companies.

Substantial investment is promised in the form of new rolling stock, such that by the time that the franchise ends in 2026, there will be 25 per cent more trains to cater for an ever-increasing passenger load.

This is splendid news, although personally, I think that London Midland, who failed to win the contract again, did a pretty good job, considering all the circumstances.

With the announcement last week by Transport Minister, Chris Grayling, that Government is looking to re-open Beeching closed lines and stations, coupled with West Midland Mayor, Andy Street, pushing to get more suburban services running in the area, there is a reasonable possibility that talk will be turned into reality.

Cash investment in rolling stock is said to be in the order of £1 billion, so the new operators must be convinced about the profitable opportunities in the years to come. However, I do have a plea, and that is that West Midland Trains should also invest in station staff.

With extended life expectancy, more elderly people are travelling by train. Unfortunately, however, very few stations are staffed these days.

Take Barnt Green, a typical suburban station in north Worcestershire. It has six trains an hour, four platforms to service customers, yet only one ticket machine and that has long periods of being out of use. In addition there are virtually no provisions for wheelchair passengers, Network Rail having broken a promise to install lifts.

Now I am old, and look for assistance. I don’t understand electronic machines, and wish to buy my ticket from a human being. This station has a turnover of approaching £500,000 per annum, so is well patronised. Perhaps the new franchisee will give consideration to provide this additional service to all stations currently staff-less, thus enhancing journey experience for the passenger. Russell Luckock is chairman of Birmingham pressings firm AE Harris