The future’s orange as mayor promises integrated transport Street launches latest vision of regional travel
AFULLY integrated transport network like that of London has been outlined by the West Midlands Mayor.
Andy Street says he hopes to create a range of public transport options in the region, bringing together rail, trams, business and cycle lanes under the Transport for West Midlands banner.
He was speaking as West Midlands Railway, the new joint venture running some of the major services in the Birmingham area, officially launched its new brand PR offensive.
West Midlands Railway turned Birmingham and the region orange – the colour of its branding – either illuminating or dressing up popular monuments and buildings such as the Bullring’s bull statue, the Library of Birmingham, the Lady Godiva statue in Coventry and Clock Tower in Lichfield.
The mayor said: “What we’re trying to get to is that each of our forms of transport, whether that’s heavy rail, the Metro or buses, all comes together as one integrated service.
“The message is that improvements are close to coming such as the new timetable arriving in May for better services on the Chase Line in Walsall and Rugeley and later in the summer we’ll see the new service to Bromsgrove on the Cross City line.
“Obviously, 2022 is a critical date to be ready for the Commonwealth Games so there’s talk of new services along the Walsall Road and we must have everything integrated by 2026 to coincide with the arrival of HS2.
“For the games, Perry Barr station will be fully refurbished and there will be a rapid bus transit along the Walsall Road which will go adjacent to Alexander Stadium. We can achieve this.”
He added: “You only have to look at the transformation of New Street station and rising passenger numbers on West Midlands Railway which are outperforming other areas of the country which reflects the economic growth here. I think we should take great confidence.
“Rail has been a huge success story