Anger as London Midland rules out Boxing Day rail service

Nov 24 2009 by Patrice John, Birmingham Mail

CAMPAIGNERS are calling on a Birmingham-based train company to provide more services for passengers over the Christmas period.

London Midland which runs services across the city and to London Euston will not provide trains or replacement bus services during Boxing Day, which falls on a Saturday.

This contrasts with National Express, which will run extra buses and trams for shoppers.

National Express will run buses on 44 routes in Birmingham, 14 services in the Black Country and nine in Coventry. Alan Bevan, from campaigning group Rail Future, called on London Midland to think again for the sake of passengers.

He said: “Traditionally there have been no train services on Christmas or Boxing Day, but this year is slightly different because we will be enjoying a four-day weekend.

“Since Boxing Day falls on a Saturday I can fully understand why passengers might expect train services.”

Passenger transport authority Centro helped co-ordinate the service.

Coun Jon Hunt, lead member for bus and highways, said: “We are grateful to the bus and tram operators for recognising the public need for a decent service on this important day.”

A London Midland spokesman said: “There will be no train services on Christmas or Boxing Day due to planned engineering works.” There were no plans to review the decision, he said.