Final preparations underway ahead of new fleet introduction on the Cross City Line

Final preparations are underway ahead of the introduction of a brand new train fleet onto the Cross City Line through Birmingham.

As part of its £1billion investment in new trains and infrastructure, operator West Midlands Trains is introducing its new electric Class 730 fleet onto the Cross City line this spring. Andy Street, Mayor of the West Midlands joined West Midlands Trains managing director Ian McConnell at Four Oaks station in Sutton Coldfield to see one of the new trains on a test run and discuss the rollout of the fleet.

Ian McConnell, managing director of West Midlands Trains, said: “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.”

Andy Street, Mayor of the West Midlands and chair of the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA), said: “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.”