Alstom Aventra Train Fleet Carries 12 Million Passengers On Birmingham Cross-City Line

Alstom has announced that its Aventra train fleet has carried more than 12 million passengers since entering service on Birmingham’s Cross-City Line one year ago.

The West Midlands Railway line, which connects Lichfield to Bromsgrove and Redditch via Birmingham, saw the introduction of the new Class 730/0 electric train fleet in March 2024, with the full fleet having successfully rolled out on 26 September 2024.

The trains have made more than one million journeys per month, with customers expressing a 19% rise in customer satisfaction along the route since the units entered service.

Forming part of Alstom’s Aventra line-up, the company has produced 2,660 electric multiple unit (EMU) Aventra cars for the Elizabeth line, London Overground, Greater Anglia, c2c, South Western Railway and West Midlands Trains (which incorporates West Midlands Railway) at its Derby Litchurch Lane Works site since 2015.

The rollout was recognised at the National Rail Awards in London on Wednesday 17 September.

Andy Butters, Managing Director Derby Litchurch Lane Works at Alstom, said:

We are proud to see the Class 730/0 fleet making such a meaningful impact on the Cross-City Line, with over 12 million passenger journeys in its first year. This milestone reflects the dedication of our teams at Alstom and our commitment to delivering sustainable, reliable and comfortable rolling stock for the UK rail network and around the world.

The recognition at the National Rail Awards is a testament to the collaborative effort behind this achievement, and we look forward to continuing our support for West Midlands Railway as they continue to enhance passenger experience across the region.