West Midlands Trains is making the final preparations for the introduction of its new fleet of Class 730 electric trains on the Cross City Line between Lichfield and Redditch via Birmingham New Street.
The new fleet is part of a £1 billion investment which operator West Midlands Trains has made in new trains and infrastructure.
The new trains have been built by Alstom and are due to start service on the Cross City Line this spring.
We’re excited to bring this fantastic fleet to our
Ian McConnell, managing director of West Midlands Trains
customers on the Cross City Line; one of the busiest commuter routes outside London.
Last month one of the new trains was showcased at Wolverhampton, and now Mayor of the West Midlands, Andy Street together with the Managing Director of West Midlands Trains, Ian McConnell has visited Four Oaks station in Sutton Coldfield on the Cross City Line to see one of the new trains on a test run.
Whilst at Four Oaks they also discussed the rollout of the fleet, with other members of the Class 730 fleet already operating on the line from Wolverhampton via Birmingham New Street to Walsall.
We’re excited to bring this fantastic fleet to our customers on the Cross City Line; one of the busiest commuter routes outside London. Our new modern, spacious trains can carry 50% more passengers than the trains they replace, boosting capacity for the millions of people who travel on the route every year and transforming the customer experience.
The Class 730s – built in the Midlands by Alstom – represent a significant upgrade on the existing 30-year old fleet, with digital information screens, air conditioning and underfloor heating, and have been popular with passengers since they started running between Wolverhampton, Birmingham and Walsall in February.
Ian McConnell, managing director of West Midlands Trains
This marks a step-change for passengers on the Cross City line especially those using it for their daily commute at peak times.
With their spacious carriages offering tables, plug sockets and USB points throughout, these new trains are a fantastic upgrade and a welcome arrival as part of the impressive multi- million pound investment by West Midlands Trains.
At the same time, the WMCA is continuing to invest in local rail network infrastructure with work well underway on the new Camp Hill passenger line and stations in south Birmingham and new stations at Willenhall, Darlaston and Aldridge in the Black Country. By working together in this way we are able to build the modern rail system our passengers and economy needs both now and in the decades ahead.
Andy Street, Mayor of the West Midlands and chair of the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA),
Responses
Excellent news! As a regular commuter on this line, I’m really looking forward to the new trains and improved services. When do you expect they’ll start running and what will be the key changes?
The West Midlands Railway Class 730/0 3-Car units that are to replace the Class 323 on the Cross-City Line and Wolverhampton-Walsall line. I think that they will improve better services for Birmingham and maybe use them on the Chase Line to Rugeley Trent Valley from Birmingham New Street and Birmingham International.
And the 5-Car Class 730/2 that are still being built for London Northwestern Railway should enter service in late Spring or early Summer and to replace the Class 319 and Class 350/2 Desiro.
Why not put in the All New Birmingham Underground in the future for the second City of Britain?
Have you really lost your mind Mark Ricketts. Wow I never knew that you still exist with so much rubbish. I’m sorry but Birmingham never had an underground subway system. But it has its very own tram system that serves Central Birmingham. Have you ever been to Birmingham?
50% more passengers – not seats, which is a subtle way of saying more space for standing passengers.
Micheal Fabricant missed a photo opportunity. Bet people with disabilities still have to rely on help of others and ramps.
hi the new class 730 trains have plenty of seating but more standing room afterall they are proper metro trains there is info about them online and will be 6 car trains i bleive
Nice new trains aren’t enough for a proper service. We need:
1. Enough carriages and seats to avoid overcrowding;
2. Enough staff to run a full service without relying on overtime working;
3. Real advertised connections between trains and buses;
4. Level access to trains at all stations for disabled passengers;
5. Up to date passenger information at all times;
6. A proper, staffed ticketing system;
7. Affordable fares which encourage people to use public transport;
8. Proper provision of shelter from wind and rain at all stations;.
9. Clean trains, buses and stations throughout the system.
Spot on Michael.
Disabled carriages not mentioned ?? Why
Less carriages, less seats, it’s called progress
50% more seats not less read again man
50% more passengers. There are less seats. These are designed for short journeys where more standing room allows more passengers.
But there is disabled seats on those new trains. As in flip up seats right by where you put your bike and secure it.
Are they still only going to run 3 carriages during peak commute, like they have for the past few months. If you’re heading into New Street and get on anywhere past Sutton n, you’ve got little to no chance of getting a seat. More likely to get an armpit in your face though
Very nice how the BCC are now starting to sort transport and for them to be reliable to passengers. Hopefully, it continues.
Birmingham City Council aren’t involved in these trains
Did public money go into this? Article doesn’t say but Andy Street is in the photo and I’m wondering if the West Midlands Combined Authority part funded these trains.
If its Public money it well spent better then going to Birmingham City council
Any actual start date? Current trains horrendous
What trains? 323s? 350s? Either way, both classes are good at their job