West Midlands Railway announces Class 730 fleet of new electric trains to be rolled out next week
This means 150 more passengers will be able to travel in each carriage.
Last updated 8th Feb 2024
A new era is set to begin for rail passengers in the West Midlands after West Midlands Railway unveiled its brand new fleet of electric trains.
The Class 730 fleet will enter service in the region for the first time next week, carrying 150 more passengers per carriage between Wolverhampton, Birmingham and Walsall.
They're hoping this encourages more people to use public transport to helps take 1,200 cars off the road each hour in central Birmingham.
Later this year, in spring, the fleet will also enter service on the busy Cross City Line, connecting Lichfield, Birmingham, Redditch and Bromsgrove.
The Class 730s, built in the Midlands by Alstom, are part of a £700m investment in new fleets and infrastructure by West Midlands Railway and bring a significant capacity increase on the trains they replace.
The trains also feature accessible toilets, digital information screens, air conditioning, underfloor heating and power points at every seat.
Ian McConnell, managing director of West Midlands Railway, said:
“These modern electric trains represent a huge upgrade to the experience of travelling by train in the West Midlands.
“Not only are the Class 730s physically longer than the trains they replace, meaning they can carry more people, the carriage interiors have been designed in a spacious, metro-style to maximise space.
“I am certain they will prove popular and our teams are looking forward to welcoming customers on board.”
Andy Street, Mayor of the West Midlands, says, it's good news:
“These new trains will make a real difference to passengers right across our region - boosting capacity on some of our busiest routes.
“With new stations under construction and the recent announcement that Pay As You Go technology is coming down the track, the future is looking bright for rail travel in the West Midlands.”