THOUSANDS of extra seats will be introduced on West Midlands Railway services from next month as passenger numbers across the rail network continue to rise, the rail operator has promised.
The new timetable, which comes into effect from September 6, will see available space increased in time for the return of schools and workplaces across the region and returns the capacity in many places on the network to near pre-Covid levels, West Midlands Railway said.
All rail operators significantly reduced services in March in response to the pandemic, with passenger numbers dropping by 95 percemt at the height of the lockdown. Services have been stepped up twice since May and with increased numbers travelling.
The operator said the enhanced timetable is the most significant step up in rail capacity since lockdown and will see the introduction of longer trains running modular routes to boost reliability.
The changes will see services on the Birmingham-Hereford and Birmingham-Shrewsbury lines increase to two trains per hour in the peak, train frequency on Birmingham’s Cross-City Line increase from three to four trains an hour on the majority of the route and will be the maximum six carriages in length, Snow Hill Line services increase to six trains per hour while services to Birmingham International increase to two trains per hour, and services between Walsall and Rugeley will step up to two trains per hour both peak and off-peak.
In order to improve reliability, Chase Line trains will remain self-contained in the West Midlands rather than continue through to London Euston
Jonny Wiseman, customer experience director for West Midlands Railway, said: “We’ve taken all the aspects which made our lockdown timetable work so well and expanded them as increasing numbers of customers continue returning to the railway. This simpler timetable will be more reliable for passengers with longer trains to help social distancing.
“We know that coronavirus will continue to impact our lives and workplaces for some time to come but by creating a resilient, flexible timetable we can help our customers adjust to their new normal.”
Passengers are also being reminded that wearing a face covering is compulsory on trains and in stations unless exempt for medical reasons. Non-compliance is punishable by a fine from the British Transport Police.
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