Extra trains on the London line

Jun 8 2005 By Ben Hurst, Evening Mail

A MASSIVE increase in numbers of Brummies travelling to London means extra trains are being laid on.

Virgin is drafting in four extra Pendolinos each day on the route after a 20 per cent rise in travellers since last September.

The surge in passengers revealed today came despite heavy criticism of high fares. A standard open return from Birmingham New Street is £100 and a first class return is £172.

Much of the growth is in business travellers, reflecting the growing links between Birmingham and the capital.

The new trains come into action next Monday when the summer timetable starts.

The remaining 1970s High Speed Trains will be retired, with the Pendolino and Voyager fleets fully in operation.

A Virgin spokesman said: "There has been a huge increase in passengers since last September, so these services have been introduced to cope with demand." The new services are at 07.15 and 19.00 from New Street and 16.55 and 17.52 from Euston, providing a service virtually every 15 minutes during the morning and evening peaks.

On peak summer Saturdays additional trains will be run to serve the resorts of Torbay and Newquay, some of which will be provided by Holidaymaker High Speed Trains.

Many services to the west of England and the south coast will be doubled in length to provide extra capacity.

On summer Sundays until September 18, an additional service will leave Newquay at 11.38, arriving at Birmingham New Street at 16.56.

Voyager trains will now run the 01.50 service from Holyhead to Birmingham New Street and the 05.20 service from New Street to Holyhead.