Integrated Passenger Transport Policy - Worcestershire County ...

2.1.1 The transport fleet used to deliver Worcestershire's passenger transport services is, like in other areasacross the UK outside of London, diverse and highly variable in terms of quality. The ability ofWorcestershire County Council to influence the quality/design of rolling stock varies betweenmodes and is dependent upon detailed business cases and funding availability.2.1.2 In Worcestershire, passenger rail services are provided by four Train Operating Companies at thetime of writing: London Midland, First Great Western, Cross Country and Chiltern Railways. LondonMidland operates the majority of passenger rail services in Worcestershire.2.1.3 The rolling stock used on the Birmingham to Hereford and Birmingham to Redditch lines are generallyof a high quality, with relatively modern, high capacity commuter trains provided to operate serviceson these routes. Whilst the Stourbridge Line, which operates from Birmingham Snow Hill toWorcester via Kidderminster, is still operated with Class 150 trains, a new fleet of Class 172 trains hasbeen ordered and these are expected to take over operation of these services during the winter of2010/2011.2.1.4 First Great Western operates services between Hereford and London via Worcester and betweenGreat Malvern and Bristol (and further afield). Services to London are provided using a mix of Class165, 166 and refurbished High Speed Trains. Whilst the refurbished High Speed Trains generally offerhigh levels of passenger comfort, the class 165 and 166 trains are less suited to long distance journeys.Services between Great Malvern and Bristol are operated by a variety of refurbished ageing rollingstock, which offer variable levels of passenger comfort. Some of the older rolling stock used on thisroute are more suited to shorter distance commuting rather than long-distance journeys.2.1.5 Chiltern Railways operate peak-time services from Kidderminster to London using modern, highquality rolling stock. These train sets are fit for purpose and provide a consistently high qualitytravelling experience with high levels of passenger comfort.