Better services, but rail fares set to rise again - The Worcester Observer

Better services, but rail fares set to rise again

Worcester Editorial 18th Aug, 2017   0

A £1BILLION cash injection into the Midlands rail network will benefit the people of Worcester with more train services between the city and Birmingham, council chiefs claim.

However the good news for rail commuters was tempered with the news yesterday that fares are set to increase in January by 3.6 per cent, the biggest rise in four years.

The proposed increase means season tickets between the city and Birmingham will cost £49 more from the new year.

West Midlands Trains Ltd will take over the rail franchise in the Midlands from this December until 2026 after London Midland were axed as providers.




As part of the deal, the train operator has promised improvements totalling £1billion which includes more frequent services with new trains and extra seats.

For Worcester this means city commuters can expect to see an additional evening service from Birmingham to the Faithful City, and an earlier first service from Worcester to Birmingham Monday to Friday by December 2018.


There will also be an enhanced Saturday evening service to provide a regular hourly train between the two cities by December 2018.

And on the Snow Hill line, which includes stops at Worcester, improvements include fully refurbished and 80 brand new bigger carriages and enhanced evening and weekend services.

Coun 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.”

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