THE GROUP which represents rail passengers across Bromsgrove and Redditch has welcomed the move to bring West Midlands Railway under public ownership.
The Bromsgrove and Redditch Rail User Partnership (BARRUP) spoke out after Sunday’s monumental change that sees West Midlands Railway transferred to the Government’s DFT Operator Limited. It is hoped will make life better for people using trains across the two towns, whether to commute or for leisure purposes.
The most up-to-date figures show, between 2024 and 2025, a total 910,428 passengers used Redditch Station and 695,994 passengers travelled from Bromsgrove Station.
The two stations are among the busiest in Worcestershire and are both on the Cross City Line.
Trains travel from Lichfield, via Birmingham New Street, to Bromsgrove and Redditch stations, splitting at Longbridge.
All four Redditch trains each hour (two inbound and two outbound) stop at Barnt Green and Alvechurch while one per hour to and from Bromsgrove stops at Barnt Green.
Bromsgrove is also on the line from Birmingham New Street to Worcester and Hereford, via University and Droitwich.
Robert Cholmondeley, the Chairman of BARRUP, said: “The Bromsgrove and Redditch Rail User Partnership hopes bringing the rail operating companies under single ownership will lead to improved timetables and better connections between services.
“We feel some of the rail operating companies focus more on their narrow business models rather than considering the wider demands for public transport.
“BARRUP’s main hope is that it will be possible to travel directly between Bromsgrove, Worcestershire Parkway and Cheltenham (and beyond) rather than the current situation where it is necessary to travel via Birmingham.
“This adds an hour to journey times with additional cost.
“BARRUP also hopes ticketing will be simplified and that costs will be fairer in the future.”
Redditch Station was due to be upgraded but in November, Worcestershire County Council announced the plans had been scrapped to save cash.
