Transport politicians in the West Midlands have welcomed the growth agenda set out in the details of new rail franchises published for consultation today.
Regional body Centro-PTA says that although it knew there had been discussions about frequency cuts on some of the region’s busiest lines, the Department for Transport is now proposing that services should be maintained and the new West Midlands franchise, to replace Central Trains’ existing operation, includes some 40 extra services per day.
“One in five Birmingham commuters travel by train and we hope they can now look forward to better services in the years to come,” comments Centro-PTA chairman Cllr Gary Clarke.
“This document does show an understanding of the importance of rail services to the West Midlands and we are very pleased that it encourages train operating companies to plan for growth. The recognition that commuter services exist outside London and the South East and these services are vital to our regional economy is long overdue,” he adds.
The 12,000 word document was made available this morning to Centro-PTA, the local councillor body which had previously been a co-signatory to the Central Trains franchise. A detailed response will be submitted to the Department for Transport before the August deadline.
That response will set out local anger that the DfT is unwilling to underwrite the Walsall to Wolverhampton passenger service, leaving local taxpayers to pick up the bill if it is not to be axed.
Other issues likely to be picked up by local councillors include suitable assurances that will actually deliver the reliability improvements if there is a change to existing monitoring arrangements and penalty regimes. They will also be looking at protection against fare increases if some of the existing safeguards are removed and an assurance that staffing levels will be maintained at local stations.
“With the clear exception of the axing of the Walsall to Wolverhampton service, this is basically good news for passengers and the future of the West Midlands transport network,” says Cllr Clarke.
“There is support for some of our important policy initiatives such as integrated multi-modal ticketing and the introduction of smartcards – similar to the Oystercard in London – and we will use the opportunity of the consultation period to lobby hard on behalf of passengers where we want to see other improvements.”
“Centro-PTA is keen to play an active role in the management of the new West Midlands franchise, building on our successful involvement in the previous franchise, and we will be talking to the Department of Transport about our role and the best way of representing regional interests,” he adds.
Links:
DfT news release
DfT consultation papers on the new West Midlands franchise
