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Topic: Passenger Numbers Surge Brings Hope For Walsall-Wolverhampton As DfT Axe Looms (Read 1747 times)
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Lee
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Services between Walsall and Wolverhampton might not only be saved but doubled under plans unveiled today (link below.) http://www.expressandstar.com/2008/05/12/boost-for-threatened-train-line/A 30 per cent surge in passenger numbers has been seen since the line was given an 18-month reprieve until December this year. The Express & Star revealed last week that it is estimated the service has increased to 60,000 passengers in the last year since 2005, up 30 per cent. West Midlands Passenger Transport Authority chairman Gary Clarke has also said the service could be made to run every half-hour. A feasibility study on rail links in Walsall is due and could see the service doubled by 2012 following signal improvements by Network Rail and Wolverhampton’s transport interchange which will see a rebuild of the city’s railway station. The service is due to be axed in December when funding stops but Councillor Clarke has urged transport minister Tom Harris to save the service, which he describes as “vital”. In a letter to the minister, Councillor Clarke said the route provided “potential for a much greater contribution to the economic growth of the region in the medium term” and urged him to ensure funding for the route to be provided after December. |
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Graham Ellis
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This will be a VERY interesting one to watch. The figures quoted are a 30% rise to 60,000 passengers, compared to a 35% annual rise to 120,000 on the "TransWilts" before it had its heart cut out. Comparisons are difficult though ... doesn't the Wolverhampton - Walsall service run every hour, which is three of four times the frequency of the TransWilts before the cuts.
Clearly, I hope the service survives; I believe (from what I know) that it probably should. Yet if it does, we can shout "hypocrasy" loud and clear - which would perhaps make us feel good for a few minutes if notheing else.
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Lee
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Centro says it has received a letter from rail minister Tom Harris where he refuses to continue funding the Walsall to Wolverhampton route due to low patronage. But it has also emerged that there is insufficient rolling stock available to keep the service operating when a series of region-wide timetable changes come into effect this December (link below.) http://www.transportbriefing.co.uk/story.php?id=5079The chairman and head of passenger transport executive Centro, Cllr Gary Clarke this week pledged to fight the government’s decision to end the rail service in December. Cllr Clarke will be writing to the rail minister to express his disappointment at the decision and call on the government to reverse its stance. “The Walsall to Wolverhampton rail service is a vital link for many Walsall and Wolverhampton residents by providing a quick and reliable link between the two boroughs and giving much needed access to connecting rail services. Existing bus services take over 40 minutes to cover the 15 minute rail journey.
"Thanks to the increase in reliability and punctuality on the Walsall to Wolverhampton line, confidence has grown and we have seen the number of people taking advantage of this service rise significantly. The minister is losing the opportunity to build on this success further. The government should be looking to provide investment in local rail services so that we have a consistent high quality rail network that encourages and caters for passenger growth." |
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