AN enhanced train service is being announced across Worcester and the county after London Midland lost its operations contract- but fares are set to rise by 3.6 per cent.

The Department for Transport (DfT) announced the running of services will be handed to West Midlands Trains Ltd (WMT) from December 10.

This marks the end of London Midland's decade-long run, with WMT to invest nearly £1 billion to improve rail services across the West Midlands.

Plans include additional services on weekends and evenings between Birmingham and Hereford, more spacious carriages and improvements to Worcester Shrub Hill and Worcester Foregate Street stations.

The news of enhanced services comes as rail passengers were hit with the announcement of a 3.6 per cent rise from January – the biggest price hike in five years.

WMT will be permitted to increase fares by as much as the Retail Prices Index (RPI) figure of 3.6 per cent, but providers do not always apply the maximum figure.

If the maximum figure is installed, the cheapest yearly pass from Worcester Foregate Street to Birmingham New Street will cost about an extra £50.   

Praising the investment, Worcester MP Robin Walker said: "This is really welcome news for Worcester rail passengers. Overcrowding on peak-time trains to and from Birmingham is one of the most frequent complaints I hear from local commuters, so the longer trains and new carriages will hopefully make a noticeable improvement to people’s journeys.

"More frequent services at evenings and weekends will also benefit those visiting friends and family, going shopping in Birmingham, and indeed will make Worcester an even more attractive proposition than it already is for visitors across the Midlands. I am hopeful that the new Cathedral Square attractions will draw in even more visitors from Birmingham to spend time and money in our beautiful city and the extra services will help them to come here."

"This announcement is a really positive step and I look forward to seeing the improvements and upgrades as they are introduced. I will keep up the pressure for improvements on all Worcester’s rail services, both those between our city and Birmingham and the London services which I would like to see come down to under two hours as swiftly as possible."

Plans include additional evening service from Birmingham to Worcester, and an earlier first weekday service from Worcester to Birmingham by December 2018.

On Saturdays there will be additional evening services between Birmingham and Hereford in both directions by December 2018, with regular hourly trains between Birmingham and Worcester, and earlier first services between Birmingham and Hereford in both directions by May 2021.

Sundays will see enhanced frequency between Hereford and Birmingham with at least five additional services in each direction by May 2021.

The scheme also includes 80 new, bigger carriages on the Snow Hill line, which calls at Worcester Foregate Street, Shrub Hill and continues towards Hereford.

Cllr Ken Pollock, Worcestershire County Council's cabinet member with responsibility for economy and infrastructure said: "These improvements, which include extra services and refurbished trains, will have a positive impact and benefit the people of this county.

"We know an efficient transport network is key to our Open for Business priority and ensuring that Worcestershire continues to have a prosperous economy."

Transport Secretary Chris Grayling MP said: "This is great news for passengers using West-Midlands services – with new trains, more space, more regular services and easier access for disabled people.

"We are improving the whole travelling experience with live train crowding information, compensation for people delayed by 15 minutes or more, smart ticketing and better value tickets for part-time workers.

"This shows we are delivering on our commitment to build a railway that works for everyone."

WMT will take over the running of services at Worcester Foregate Street, Worcester Shrub Hill, Malvern Link, Great Malvern, Colwall and Ledbury, until March 2026.