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Local Rail Services

There are eight local rail lines in the West Midlands providing fast, convenient travel for commuters and leisure users.

To find out more about the services from your local station click here to go to our interactive network map. Just click on any station in the pink Centro supported area for details of train times, station facilities and sample fares.

For more information on tickets and to find the best value ticket for you - click here.

If you are a student then click here to find out more about Student Centrocard.

If you just want to find out about Great Days Out with the kids then go to http://www.funbytrain.co.uk/

To find out more about access facilities ar stations click here

Introduction

The majority of local rail services in the West Midlands are operated by Central Trains Ltd under a franchise agreement with Centro.

The service provided is specified by Centro and Centro monitors the performance of rail services to ensure that it meets agreed service levels in terms of punctuality, train capacity, cleanliness and other criteria.

Failure to meet the set levels results in financial penalties for the operator.

Centro also sets the fare levels within the West Midlands following agreement with the WMPTA.

A number of longer distance services provide local journeys within the Centro area and are operated by a number of train companies. These include Virgin Trains, Chiltern Railways and Silverlink as well as Central Trains longer routes.

Longer distance services operated by Central Trains receive no subsidy from Centro and are not part of the franchise agreement. Centro does not specify the service level or fares on these services.

Centro works in partnership with Central Trains and other rail operators to constantly look at ways of improving and integrating services.

Planning your journey

The accessibility of stations varies greatly, and whilst Centro strives to improve access, you should always try to plan your journey so that you use stations best equipped and staffed to meet your needs. If you think that you may need assistance at the station or on train, please let the Railway Companies know you are coming. The train operating companies are are happy to help people with mobility difficulties, but must have advance notice to ensure staff are available when needed. Please click on the underlined words in red to link to a map of the Rail Network and details of the facilities at individual rail stations.

Advance Booking

If you need extra assistance to help you make your journey, please contact the Area Manager at Birmingham New Street Station at the address or telephone numbers below:-

Area Manager
Railtrack Major Stations
Station Forecourt
New Street Station
Birmingham B2 4ND
Ph no.:0121 654 4288


To provide the best possible service, you can assist the staff by providing the following information:-

• Departure station.

• Date and time of journey.

• Destination station, and if you need to change trains.

• Your means of travel to and from stations.

• Whether a station wheelchair will be needed.

• Whether you are travelling alone or have a companion.

• Any other details to help the rail staff, or which you want to clarify.

Please provide similar details for your return journey if possible, particularly if you are returning the same day. Ideally, you should give two days notice, but generally the earlier you make contact, the better the service is likely to be.

Facilities on Trains

The modern design of train types operated on local services, together with ramps on accessible stations, allows simple ease of access to the passenger accommodation for people with wheelchairs. Most trains have push button operated powered sliding doors, flat wide entrances, good internal lighting, and handy grab rails.
On many longer distance trains, if you are a wheelchair user, you should be able to travel within the passenger accommodation, providing you book in advance with the train operating company. In Standard Class, there is space to accommodate wheelchairs and powered wheelchairs up to width of 670mm and length of 1200mm. You will need to make a reservation in advance to make sure it is available on the journey you wish to undertake. If you have restricted leg movement or another disability, you can reserve a seat closest to the doorway and toilets. Most trains have automatically opening internal doors, and audio announcements are made about approaching stations, and services.