Transport for West Midlands (TfWM) and London Midland (LM) have agreed a new 45-point plan to improve rail services in the region, following the signing of a new partnership deal.
The plan covers five areas: increasing customer satisfaction; improving accessibility; integration; safety and security; and increasing passenger numbers and revenue.
Among the commitments made are joint working to develop a resilience plan to maintain performance at Birmingham Snow Hill, as well as a joint delivery plan on the Chase Line following electrification.
A multimodal public transport resilience group will be created, to focus on maximising effectiveness during special events and unplanned disruption. And a schedule for capital projects that the parties will deliver jointly will be agreed, including at least the existing projects for Stratford-upon-Avon and Longbridge.
TfWM will seek funding for extra park and ride capacity for at least two stations in the West Midlands (probably Whitlocks End and Tipton), and future car park enhancements will consider implications for current and future train capacity.
LM will invest a share of £250,000 per year on minor work to improve accessibility. And all West Midlands stations with a daily service will receive new or upgraded ticket machines on stations before January 2017.
The operator will also install and operate or procure the installation and operation of four CCTV cameras into each vehicle of the Class 323 fleet, and both parties will work to ensure that the impacts and opportunities are understood and maximised.
LM Managing Director Patrick Verwer said: “The improvements we are planning to introduce over the next 15 months are based on what local people have said are important to them. These are exciting times for the region. LM has supported the idea of devolution as it helps us get closer and respond more quickly to the needs of local rail users.”
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Andrewjgwilt1989 - 11/08/2016 23:57
What is a 45-point plan?
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