A brand-new commuter train service connecting Bewdley with Birmingham has begun this week as part of an eight-week trial. The Bewdley Express started its first journey on Tuesday, September 1, with passengers travelling from Bewdley to Kidderminster before changing onto a West Midlands Railway service to Birmingham.
Severn Valley Railway (SVR), West Midlands Railway and West Midlands Rail Executive are behind running this trial. The service is designed to test how a regular rail connection service between Bewdley and the wider West Midlands network could work in the future.
How does the Birmingham service work?
The Bewdley Express will operate only on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays during the eight-week trial.
It will have two morning trains that leave Bewdley at 6.40 am and 7.40 am, arriving at Birmingham Snow Hill at 7.46 am and 8.46 am, after which the passengers have to change at Kidderminster.
For passengers travelling back from Birmingham, evening services will be leaving Snow Hill at 4.46 pm and 5.46 pm, with connections at Kidderminster for trains to Bewdley.
A return ticket between Bewdley and Birmingham is currently priced at £16, while a return between Bewdley and Kidderminster costs £3.60.
The tickets can be bought from West Midlands Railway staff at Bewdley and from ticket offices including Kidderminster and Birmingham Snow Hill.
Can this become permanent?
One thing to remember from this trial is that it is not just about giving commuters another way to travel. The organisations behind the project will use passenger numbers and travel patterns during the eight weeks to assess whether there is enough demand for a regular service.
If the trial is successful, it could help build a case for extending some services that currently finish at Kidderminster further towards Bewdley. The service could also make it easier for people to travel between the two areas for education, business and leisure, while providing an alternative to travelling by car.
Commuters urged to use the service
Severn Valley Railway chief executive Gus Dunster said the first journey was an important moment after months of planning. He also encouraged people who could use the service to give it a try, as passenger demand during the trial will be important in deciding its future.
For Birmingham commuters, the trial offers a new option for getting to and from the city, while for Bewdley it could be an important test of whether the town can regain a regular connection to the wider West Midlands rail network. The trial will include another eight weeks under various terms starting Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.
