More train services are set to return to Coventry and Warwickshire’s railways with thousands of extra seats set to be added to services.
West Midlands Trains announced from next week, dozens of extra services are being restored to train timetables across the region.
It comes as demand for train travel continues to grow.
In the early days of lockdown, far fewer passengers were found aboard trains, resulting in operators axing a large number of services.
And while a number of these have already returned, from Monday July 6, even more are returning.
It has been confirmed that the extra services will have thousands of extra seats for passengers – to ensure that all aboard are at a social distance to each other.
Despite the addition of extra services – on both London Northwestern Railway and West Midlands Railway services, the current travel advice is that trains are for essential journeys only at this time. Passengers are reminded to bring a face covering to wear aboard as part of new mandatory regulations.
Which services are returning?
Some of the upcoming changes have already been announced, which include:
- 40,000 additional seats will be provided on LNR services to and from London every weekday, including 10,000 at peak times
- Additional peak services between Worcester and Birmingham New Street every weekday
- Trains between Birmingham and Wolverhampton will operate to an increased frequency from Monday-Saturday
- Services between Crewe and Stafford via Stoke-on-Trent will now continue to Birmingham New Street from Monday-Saturday
Many of these changes will have knock-on impact as far as both Coventry Railway Station and Nuneaton.
Passengers returning to the railway for the first time since lockdown are being urged to avoid peak travel times, buy their tickets online and allow extra time as some stations may have one-way systems in operation.
What has been said about the news?
Julian Edwards, managing director of West Midlands Trains, said: “This new timetable marks an important milestone for our customers and our colleagues as the country begins to get back to work.
“Since the pandemic began we have moved quickly to adapt our timetable based on the level of demand and the availability of our own staff, who are not immune to the effects of coronavirus.
“I am pleased we are now in a position where we can run more trains with as many carriages as we possibly can to help our passengers travel with confidence.”
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