Transport for the West Midlands (TfWM) has described proposed cuts to long-distance services at Birmingham International, Coventry, Sandwell and Dudley and Wolverhampton as “wholly unacceptable”.
The cuts were raised in the InterCity West Coast franchise consultation document in May this year. The document argued that passengers travelling short distances in the West Midlands were boarding long-distance trains, with the resulting overcrowding forcing those travelling further afield to stand.
TfWM says that cutting inter-city services to the four stations would damage the West Midlands economy and “make it almost impossible to commute between some of the region’s key cities”.
Options put forward by the body in its response to the Department for Transport include: replacing or extending the existing five- and nine-coach trains with up to 12 vehicles; better management of onboard capacity to ensure that all seats are being used; rebalancing the mixture of First and Standard Class accommodation; and changing the fares structure to address differences between peak and off-peak fares.
The response also calls for the existing three trains per hour service between the West Midlands and London to be retained, with no changes to calling patterns. TfWM argues that direct services from Milton Keynes, Coventry and Birmingham International should also be retained.
Wes Midlands Combined Authority Transport Lead Roger Lawrence said: “While we recognise the pressing need to squeeze more capacity out of the existing line, it should not come at the expense of fewer inter-city services at key West Midlands stations. That would be wholly unacceptable.
“Nevertheless, we need to meet rising passenger numbers and support economic growth until the arrival of High Speed 2 can relieve the pressure, and that’s why we have suggested a number of alternative options. On the Birmingham to Coventry line, Virgin provides more than 40% of the train services and over half the peak-time commuter capacity, so any cut would hit commuters and the economy.
“As things stand the West Coast Main Line is effectively full with limited scope for further additional services until HS2 arrives in 2026, but we need to make the most of the existing line to generate extra capacity without reducing inter-city services at stations like Coventry and Wolverhampton.”
The Invitation to Tender for the next InterCity West Coast franchise will be issued in November this year, with the new franchise due to start in April 2018.
- For more on the ICWC franchise consultation, read RAIL 809, published on September 14.
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FrankH - 03/09/2016 16:36
I could never understand why Virgin stopped at Sandwell and Dudley which would be the only station to have services cut. New street and Coventry are safe and BI would be built in the franchise regardless of passenger numbers. If TfWM are that concerned get some more stock and lengthen your peak hour services, at the moment you don't need to because Virgin are carrying your passengers for nothing, no wonder your moaning at proposed cuts. it should be made clear that WMPTE tickets are not accepted on Virgin trains.
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The_Fishmonger - 11/09/2016 21:15
With Anglia getting a new fleet, there'll be plenty of 321s and such available to be used peak hours only anywhere there's wires up. They've fully depreciated and the government should blooming well make sure they are retained like Mk1 coaching stock. Sudden, unexpected demand can then be simply handled by chucking out a pair of 4 car or longer units. The 360s could be used to increase train lengths on the current LM services and can, presumably, be made 110 mph to match the 350s. So many options with the stock coming off-lease from there (Cl 360 110mph ECML shuttles Donc to Newcastle anyone?)
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Ian Hards - 12/09/2016 20:02
Too many short journey passengers on major inter city services, causing overcrowding and making it uncomfortable for long distance users.
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