West Midlands Railway (WMR) has begun a new era for Birmingham's iconic Cross City Line this week, with the launch of their brand new Class 730 train fleet. This £1 billion investment significantly improves the passenger experience for the millions who travel this line each year, connecting Birmingham to destinations like Lichfield, Redditch, and Bromsgrove.
The new fleet boasts a third more capacity than its 30-year-old predecessor. With 48 three-carriage trains forming a total of 144 new carriages, WMR is providing passengers with more space to travel comfortably. These modern trains feature spacious interiors with walkthrough carriages, ensuring a more pleasant journey. Accessibility is also a priority, with features like accessible toilets catering to everyone's needs. The digital age is fully embraced with Wi-Fi connectivity, and every seat is equipped with a power point.
Ian McConnell, West Midlands Railway managing director, said
“The rollout of the Class 730s onto this key Birmingham commuter route is a vital part of our £1billion investment in new trains and infrastructure as we continue modernising our rail network.”
The Cross City Line is one of the busiest commuter routes in the country outside London, with millions of passenger journeys made every year. The line connects major conurbations across the West Midlands including Lichfield, Sutton Coldfield, Longbridge, Bromsgrove and Redditch. As well as serving Birmingham New Street, the line is also home to the recently redeveloped University station, which is used by millions of passengers annually.
The Class 730 fleet, built by Alstom is being phased into service on the Cross City Line over the spring and summer months as the existing Class 323 trains are withdrawn from service. This means the line will be served by a mixture of Class 730s and Class 323s trains for the next few months, with the transition expected to be fully complete by the autumn.
Image & Video Credit: West Midlands Trains
