Centro Press Releases

Jobs boost for Birmingham’s unemployed as part of the Midland Metro extension

Mon, 10 Jun 2013 00:00:00 GMT

Contractors working on the tram extension have signed up to a project to create dozens of jobs.

Tribute to former Centro chairman unveiled at Stourbridge bus station

Fri, 07 Jun 2013 00:00:00 GMT

A granite plaque engraved with an image of Angus Adams has been unveiled at Stourbridge bus station.

Bus users reminded of changes to North Birmingham and Sutton Coldfield network

Thu, 06 Jun 2013 00:00:00 GMT

Amendments to bus services in the area come into effect from Sunday June 9.

Tributes to former Centro member Cllr Tom Ansell

Tue, 04 Jun 2013 00:00:00 GMT

Former Centro member Cllr Tom Ansell has died after a short illness.

New 360 orbital bus route is miles ahead of its rivals

Tue, 04 Jun 2013 00:00:00 GMT

Coventry deposes Birmingham to claim the crown of having Europe’s longest continuous urban bus route.

Centro wins Government cash to expand Park and Ride

Mon, 03 Jun 2013 00:00:00 GMT

Park and Ride facilities at three railway stations will be upgraded after Centro wins £2m from Whitehall.

Free parking spaces temporarily reduced at Northfield rail station

Tue, 28 May 2013 00:00:00 GMT

Car park resurfacing work means fewer spaces will be available during June at Northfield rail station.

Hospital transport scheme launched

Fri, 24 May 2013 00:00:00 GMT

An innovative transport scheme has been launched to help cancer patients get to hospital for treatment

New services mean less drama travelling between Birmingham and Stratford

Tue, 21 May 2013 00:00:00 GMT

Rail services between Birmingham and Stratford will now run more frequently and later into the night.

All change for North Birmingham and Sutton Coldfield buses

Mon, 20 May 2013 00:00:00 GMT

New North Birmingham and Sutton Coldfield network to bring benefits for passengers.

Talking map for the blind begins trials at Wolverhampton bus station

Thu, 16 May 2013 00:00:00 GMT

A pioneering information system for the blind begins trials at Wolverhampton bus station.

Olympic hero Tommy remembered with new cycle route

Tue, 14 May 2013 00:00:00 GMT

The first section of a £2.6million network of cycle routes in North Solihull has been officially opened.

Three weeks remain on Midland Metro consultation

Fri, 10 May 2013 00:00:00 GMT

The public have three weeks to feedback on plans to extend tram system in Wolverhampton city centre.

Transport chief backs HS2's inclusion in the Queen's speech

Wed, 08 May 2013 00:00:00 GMT

Centro boss Geoff Inskip says announcement is great news for the West Midlands.

Smartphone ‘app’ provides real time information boost

Fri, 03 May 2013 00:00:00 GMT

Hundreds more buses are now providing live updates to a free smartphone application.

Hat trick of awards for milestone Centro projects

Fri, 03 May 2013 00:00:00 GMT

Centro scoops three awards for Stourbridge bus station and Birmingham City Centre Interchange.

Work begins on Coventry’s cycling revolution

Thu, 02 May 2013 00:00:00 GMT

Work has started on a £7 million scheme which will provide seven key cycling routes across the city.

Birmingham New Street's new concourse opens to passengers

Fri, 26 Apr 2013 00:00:00 GMT

Passengers using Birmingham New Street are now seeing the first major changes in over 40 years.

New scheme gives a clean sweep on Birmingham and Solihull buses

Fri, 26 Apr 2013 00:00:00 GMT

Litter-busting scheme will see cleaners blitzing buses as they wait to get back on the road.

Bradford Place to reopen early

Fri, 26 Apr 2013 00:00:00 GMT

Walsall’s Bradford Place bus interchange will reopen to passengers on April 27.

Centro unveils new electric car charging points

Thu, 25 Apr 2013 00:00:00 GMT

New charging points for electric vehicles are unveiled at railway stations across the West Midlands.

Views sought on Wolverhampton tram extension

Tue, 23 Apr 2013 00:00:00 GMT

The public have been invited to give their views on a £15 million tram extension in Wolverhampton.

Transport blueprint for economic growth

Mon, 15 Apr 2013 00:00:00 GMT

A new transport blueprint to underpin economic growth and job creation has been unveiled.

Midland Metro reopens after Easter closure

Fri, 12 Apr 2013 00:00:00 GMT

Tram system has reopened after a two week closure for work on a £128 million project.

The final test for Birmingham New Street

Tue, 09 Apr 2013 00:00:00 GMT

Volunteers test stations's new concourse ahead of its partial opening at the end of April.

Stourbridge passengers to have their say on public transport

Mon, 08 Apr 2013 00:00:00 GMT

Passengers in Stourbridge have the chance to give transport chiefs their views about the area’s network.

Putting Passengers First conference a big success

Mon, 08 Apr 2013 00:00:00 GMT

The views of the travelling public were the subject of a successful inaugural Centro conference.

Centro speakers at major urban environment conference

Fri, 05 Apr 2013 00:00:00 GMT

Centro will put public transport on the agenda at an economic growth conference in Birmingham.

Schools and colleges get £100,000 real time information boost

Tue, 02 Apr 2013 00:00:00 GMT

Thousands of students are benefitting from live public transport updates at their school or college.

More rail investment needed fifty years on

Wed, 27 Mar 2013 00:00:00 GMT

Transport chief says more investment needed to match rising rail demand, fifty years on from the Beeching report.

Reminder Midland Metro to close at Easter as part of £128 million upgrade

Wed, 27 Mar 2013 00:00:00 GMT

Midland Metro users are reminded it is to temporarily close at Easter as part of a £128m upgrade.

Hundreds of families set to benefit from green scheme

Thu, 21 Mar 2013 00:00:00 GMT

Households along two of the region’s busiest routes are set for expert personalised travel advice.

Soaring rail use in Coventry and Birmingham highlights need for HS2

Wed, 20 Mar 2013 00:00:00 GMT

Transport chief says rising rail use underlines the need for capactiy which will be released by HS2.

New Street half-time switchover opening date revealed

Mon, 18 Mar 2013 00:00:00 GMT

The first half of the new concourse at Birmingham New Street station will open on April 28.

All night bus service boost for workers and job seekers

Mon, 18 Mar 2013 00:00:00 GMT

A 24 hour bus service for Birmingham Airport, the NEC and Birmingham Business Park is launched.

£3.9m hybrid bus fleet launched

Wed, 13 Mar 2013 00:00:00 GMT

Greener and more comfortable buses are launched on the No 1 route in Dudley and Wolverhampton.

New cleaning contract mops up £225,000 saving

Fri, 08 Mar 2013 00:00:00 GMT

Cleaning contract for Centro's bus stations, travel shops and headquarters will save thousands.

Free parking spaces at two rail stations reduced during resurfacing work

Thu, 07 Mar 2013 00:00:00 GMT

Park and Ride spaces at Four Oaks and Sandwell and Dudley rail stations will be reduced this month.

Interactive website launched to help people get lean and green

Wed, 06 Mar 2013 00:00:00 GMT

New website launched to keep people informed about dozens of new schemes making it easier to use public transport, walk or cycle.

Coventry and Wolverhampton passengers to have their say on public transport

Wed, 06 Mar 2013 00:00:00 GMT

Passengers in Coventry and Wolverhampton can give transport chiefs their views about the network.

Safer Travel to step up police patrols on busy bus routes

Tue, 05 Mar 2013 00:00:00 GMT

Police to target busy Birmingham bus routes during March to prevent opportunist thefts.

Seven new Special Constables join the Safer Travel Team

Mon, 04 Mar 2013 00:00:00 GMT

Police presence on the West Midlands transport network has been boosted with the recruitment of seven new Special Constables

West Midlands must be served by direct high speed rail services to Europe

Wed, 27 Feb 2013 00:00:00 GMT

Centro Chairman says region needs direct high speed rail services to Europe.

Your Public Transport Matters roadshow arrives in Walsall

Wed, 20 Feb 2013 00:00:00 GMT

Passengers in Walsall can give transport chiefs their views about the area’s network.

See Something, Say Something mobile phone app is launched

Tue, 19 Feb 2013 00:00:00 GMT

A mobile phone app is the latest weapon in the fight against antisocial behaviour on public transport.

Metro tram network to close as work continues on £128 million upgrade

Thu, 14 Feb 2013 00:00:00 GMT

The Midland Metro is to close over Easter as part of the £128 million extension programme.

Centro backs Stop Hate in fight against hate crime

Fri, 08 Feb 2013 00:00:00 GMT

Centro joins the fight against hate crime by backing an information campaign offering support to victims.

Rail passengers urged to claim free travel compensation

Fri, 08 Feb 2013 00:00:00 GMT

Season ticket holders who suffered major disruption last year urged to take advantage of free travel days.

New buses are just what the doctor ordered

Thu, 07 Feb 2013 00:00:00 GMT

New 'talking buses' launched in Dudley

Pool Meadow Bus Station second access formally opened

Tue, 05 Feb 2013 00:00:00 GMT

A new access into Coventry’s Pool Meadow Bus Station has been formally opened.

Reminders go out to renew concessionary travel passes

Wed, 30 Jan 2013 00:00:00 GMT

Concessionary travel pass holders are urged to contact Centro about organising a replacement card.

Local Transport Minister launches £50 million project

Wed, 30 Jan 2013 00:00:00 GMT

Transport Minister Norman Baker has launched a landmark £50 million West Midlands project.

HS2 to bring growth boost for West Midlands

Tue, 29 Jan 2013 00:00:00 GMT

Minister says HS2 will put West Midlands at the heart of the UK’s ‘engine for growth’

Announcement of northern routes will put West Midlands at the heart of HS2

Fri, 25 Jan 2013 00:00:00 GMT

Region will benefit from being at the heart of Britain's high speed rail network says Centro boss.

Solihull passengers to have their say on public transport

Mon, 21 Jan 2013 00:00:00 GMT

Passengers in Solihull have the chance to give transport chiefs their views about the area’s network.

Exhibitions underway for new Bromsgrove Railway Interchange

Thu, 17 Jan 2013 00:00:00 GMT

Exhibitions outlining a new £14.4 million complex and gathering public views get underway.

Countdown to New Street's half-time switch over

Tue, 15 Jan 2013 00:00:00 GMT

Passengers using Birmingham New Street will soon see the station's first major changes in decades.

Centro and councils welcome investment in regional rail network

Tue, 08 Jan 2013 00:00:00 GMT

A £550 million upgrade of the West Midlands rail network is welcomed by Centro and local councils.

Work starts on bus station second access

Thu, 03 Jan 2013 00:00:00 GMT

Work is underway to create a new access into Coventry's Pool Meadow Bus Station.

Sandwell passengers to have their say on public transport

Thu, 03 Jan 2013 00:00:00 GMT

Passengers in Sandwell get to chance to give their views on public transport in the borough.

Work starts on new access to bus station

Fri, 21 Dec 2012 00:00:00 GMT

Work gets underway to create a new access into Coventry's Pool Meadow Bus Station.

Public consultation begins on new Bromsgrove Railway Station

Fri, 21 Dec 2012 00:00:00 GMT

Residents, businesses and key stakeholders are being asked to have their say on plans for Bromsgrove Rail Station.

Public transport just the ticket for party-goers

Tue, 18 Dec 2012 00:00:00 GMT

Party-goers can enjoy a festive tipple without the risk of drink driving by taking advantage of extensive public transport services this Christmas and New Year.

First glimpse of New Street's bright future

Wed, 12 Dec 2012 00:00:00 GMT

The first sections of Birmingham New Street’s new retail destinations and stunning new façade have been installed.

Transport chiefs call for more investment in cycle safety

Tue, 11 Dec 2012 00:00:00 GMT

Making cycling safer is crucial in getting more people to switch to pedal power, West Midlands transport chiefs have told the Government.

Walsall passengers to have their say on public transport

Mon, 03 Dec 2012 00:00:00 GMT

People in Walsall have the chance to give transport chiefs their views about the area’s network.

Centro welcomes progress on local rail control

Wed, 28 Nov 2012 00:00:00 GMT

A bid by transport authority Centro to take control of West Midland rail services has been boosted by the results of a Government consultation.

West Midlands pressing for direct link from Coventry into HS2

Tue, 27 Nov 2012 00:00:00 GMT

Authorities across the West Midlands are pressing for a direct link from Coventry into the planned HS2 Interchange station at Birmingham Airport.

Transport group urging for design of HS2 station at Moor St to deliver full potential for Black Country passengers

Tue, 27 Nov 2012 00:00:00 GMT

A leading transport group has called for the design of Birmingham city centre’s HS2 station to maximise the benefit for passengers from the Black Country.

West Midlands calls for Metro extension to deliver full potential of HS2

Tue, 27 Nov 2012 00:00:00 GMT

Councils call for the Midland Metro to be extended to maximise high-speed rail to the region.

Transport chief welcomes report which says HS2 will benefit the regions more than London

Fri, 23 Nov 2012 00:00:00 GMT

A report published today (Nov 23) confirming HS2 will bring real economic benefits to the West Midlands has been welcomed by the boss of the region’s transport authority.

West Midlands bus drivers given 'spit kits'

Wed, 21 Nov 2012 00:00:00 GMT

Bus drivers across the West Midlands have been equipped with mini DNA kits to help police track anyone who spits at them or fellow passengers.

Wolverhampton passengers to have their say

Tue, 20 Nov 2012 00:00:00 GMT

Passengers in Wolverhampton are being offered the chance to give transport chiefs their views about the area’s network.

Community groups salute Transport Regeneration Fund milestone

Fri, 09 Nov 2012 00:00:00 GMT

A Centro fund has handed out nearly £3 million to community groups across the West Midlands.

Bus network review launched for North Birmingham and Sutton Coldfield

Mon, 05 Nov 2012 00:00:00 GMT

Bus users are invited to give their views in a shake-up of services in north Birmingham and Sutton Coldfield.

Olympic star launches Coventry’s £7million cycling revolution

Tue, 30 Oct 2012 00:00:00 GMT

Olympic silver medallist Lizzie Armitstead has launcehd a £7million scheme which will transform cycling in Coventry.

Bus users reminded of changes to Sandwell network

Fri, 26 Oct 2012 00:00:00 GMT

Bus passengers are reminded that major chnages to the Sandwell network come into effect this weekend.

Anti social behaviour on public transport targeted by Operation Goliath

Thu, 25 Oct 2012 00:00:00 GMT

A high profile operation targeting anti social behaviour on public transport is launched.

Partnership agreement launches new Sandwell network

Tue, 23 Oct 2012 00:00:00 GMT

Bus users in and around Sandwell will see a host of improvements under a major partnership agreement.

Coventry passengers in line for improved hospital links

Fri, 19 Oct 2012 00:00:00 GMT

Bus passengers in Coventry can expect improved services to University Hospital with local operator Travel de Courcey taking on another main route in the city.

On-street information is the 'way to go'

Wed, 17 Oct 2012 00:00:00 GMT

New visitor and transport information system will make it easier for people to find and make their way around Birmingham

Youngsters win transport apprenticeships

Fri, 12 Oct 2012 00:00:00 GMT

Four young people have been offered apprenticeships with Centro and National Express after completing a Prince’s Trust scheme.

Funding boost is just the ticket for Dudley jobseekers

Fri, 12 Oct 2012 00:00:00 GMT

A Centro scheme which has helped more than 12,000 West Midland jobseekers back into work has returned to Dudley.

Coventry passengers to have their say on transport services

Fri, 12 Oct 2012 00:00:00 GMT

Public transport users in Coventry are being offered the chance to give transport chiefs their views.

Coventry bus improvements highly commended at transport ‘Oscars’

Fri, 12 Oct 2012 00:00:00 GMT

A Centro led project which brought major improvements to the Coventry bus network has been highly commended in a top industry awards.

Centro welcomes Prime Minister’s commitment on high speed rail

Tue, 09 Oct 2012 00:00:00 GMT

Centro has welcomed a commitment from the Prime Minister and his Transport Secretary to press ahead with HS2.

All Change for Sandwell Buses

Mon, 08 Oct 2012 00:00:00 GMT

New Sandwell bus network to bring benefits for passengers

Countdown starts to New Street switchover

Mon, 08 Oct 2012 00:00:00 GMT

Big changes for New Street Station passengers will come into effect next April with concourse switchover

Walsall students turn film stars in new learning tool for schools

Mon, 08 Oct 2012 00:00:00 GMT

More than 20 Walsall Academy students have created a new educational tool for schools.

Countdown on to New Street switchover

Mon, 08 Oct 2012 00:00:00 GMT

A switchover of concourses at New Street Station will take place next April

No change for High Heath bus route

Mon, 08 Oct 2012 00:00:00 GMT

A Walsall bus service is to continue in its present form following public consultation

Birmingham passengers to have their say on transport services

Thu, 04 Oct 2012 00:00:00 GMT

People using public transport in Birmingham get the chance to give their views about the area’s network.

Command centre leads the way in double awards victory

Thu, 04 Oct 2012 00:00:00 GMT

A pioneering £1.2m command centre dedicated to tackling crime and anti-social behaviour on the West Midlands transport network has landed a prestigious award just five months after its launch.

Crime-busting award for rail line

Wed, 03 Oct 2012 00:00:00 GMT

One of the region’s key commuter rail lines has landed a top award for keeping passengers safe from crime.

Chase Line commuter rail stations land crime-busting awards

Wed, 03 Oct 2012 00:00:00 GMT

One of the region’s key commuter rail lines has landed a top crime-busting award.

All aboard as floating cycle shop sets sail

Tue, 02 Oct 2012 00:00:00 GMT

A new Birmingham cycle hub has been created on board a 72 foot longboat as part of a unique project aimed at creating learning opportunities and boosting cycling along the city’s iconic canal routes.

European conference sees manifesto launch

Thu, 27 Sep 2012 00:00:00 GMT

More than a hundred European transport chiefs gathered in Birmingham to unveil a blueprint aimed at tackling road congestion.

Centro hits road for Customer Service Roadshow

Thu, 27 Sep 2012 00:00:00 GMT

Bus users can have their questions answered face-to-face as Centro’s customer service team takes to the road.

Rail passengers now able to help police beat anti-social behaviour using text hotline

Mon, 24 Sep 2012 00:00:00 GMT

Rail passengers in the West Midlands are being given the opportunity to instantly and anonymously report anti-social behaviour now that a successful campaign has been extended to the rail network.

Congestion is proving costly for Birmingham businesses

Thu, 20 Sep 2012 00:00:00 GMT

Birmingham businesses are suffering unacceptable delays and rising costs caused by congestion, according to a Chamber of Commerce survey.