The Severn Valley Railway’s Bewdley Express commuter trial got off to a flying start today [Tuesday 1 September] as the first heritage train carried passengers from Bewdley towards Birmingham, marking the beginning of an eight-week experiment in connecting the town directly with the wider West Midlands rail network.
The inaugural service, which departed Bewdley at 6.40am, attracted plenty of interest, with press and photographers on hand to capture the historic first journey. Representatives of Bewdley Town Council and Worcestershire County Council were also present, alongside representatives of the three organisations that have worked together to make the trial possible: the Severn Valley Railway (SVR), West Midlands Railway and the West Midlands Rail Executive (WMRE).
The Bewdley Express operates on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays during the eight-week trial, with two morning services departing Bewdley at 6.40am and 7.40am. Passengers change at Kidderminster for West Midlands Railway services, with the first service reaching Birmingham Snow Hill at 7.46am and the second at 8.46am.
Evening return services leave Birmingham Snow Hill at 4.46pm and 5.46pm, connecting at Kidderminster with SVR trains back to Bewdley, arriving at 5.57pm and 7.02pm respectively.
For the SVR’s chief executive officer Gus Dunster, the launch of the service was a particularly significant moment:
“To see the first Bewdley Express leave Bewdley this morning, with people using it to begin their working day, is a fantastic moment after months of planning and preparation.
“This service could make a real difference to people living in Bewdley and the surrounding area, giving them another option for getting to work in Birmingham and elsewhere without having to rely on the car. It also opens up wider opportunities for education, business and leisure.
“But this is a trial, and we need people to use it. The level of demand we demonstrate over the next eight weeks will be hugely important in determining whether there is a case for making services like this a permanent fixture. So, my message is simple: if this service could work for you, please give it a try, tell your friends and make use of it. The more people who use the Bewdley Express, the stronger the evidence will be for its future.”
Among those playing a key role in delivering the first service was Bob Dunn. The SVR’s most senior diesel driver took the controls of the inaugural train and said:
“Back in my main line driving career, I was very used to setting my alarm, and this morning it went off at 3.30am. We had plenty to do to get the DMU ready for our first departure at 06.40. Today feels extremely special and I’m extremely proud to be a part of it all. It’s almost 50 years since the last commuter services on the SVR, and here we are, doing it all again. Happy days!”
Sarah Graham works as a clinical scientist at Birmingham Women’s Hospital and says she leapt at the chance to use public transport for the entire journey:
“Normally I have to use my car for part of my daily commute, but I really prefer to use public transport. There must be a lot of people who need to commute from Bewdley and linking up with the main line rail is a no brainer. It’s taking cars off the road, and I’d love to see it become permanent, I’d use it every day.”
Matt Green was travelling to Rowley Regis to run various errands and found the new service very convenient:
“I’d love to make as much use as possible of this, as Bewdley station is only walking distance from my house. Decent public transport is what we need and would make a huge difference.”
The feelings were echoed by Catrina Ferris, travelling to Birmingham Snow Hill to her job as a project manager with the Environment Agency:
“I think it’s important to reduce road traffic as much as we can. I’ll be spreading the word and sharing the news online because I think it’s important for as many people as possible to use this service.”
Anne-Marie and Richard Faloon were determined to ride on the first trip for the sheer thrill of it. Richard said:
“We saw the publicity about the service and thought it would be fun to get on the first journey. You’re making use of the facilities and if it helps people commute from Bewdley, that’s a good thing.”
The Bewdley Express is believed to be one of the first arrangements of its kind in the UK, with passengers travelling on normal main line rail tickets for a journey that includes a heritage railway. The trial is testing whether existing heritage railway infrastructure and facilities can play a role in improving connectivity with the modern rail network.
Tickets for the Bewdley Express are available to purchase from West Midlands Railway staff at Bewdley ahead of the morning departures on the day of travel. Tickets can also be purchased from West Midlands Railway ticket offices, including Kidderminster and Birmingham Snow Hill. WMR are working hard to make tickets available for purchase online and advise checking their website for updates.
Indicative fares include £16 for a return journey between Bewdley and Birmingham, £3.60 for a return between Bewdley and Kidderminster, and £2 for a single between Bewdley and Kidderminster.
The trial runs for eight weeks, with passenger numbers and usage patterns helping the SVR, West Midlands Railway and WMRE assess demand and the potential for future services. If sufficient demand is demonstrated, the trial could help build the case for selected services currently terminating at Kidderminster to be extended to Bewdley in future.