There are 63 Centro-supported rail stations in the region, making it easy for customers to get out-and-about the West Midlands.
Over the past few years, Rail Real Time Information has been installed at rail stations in the West Midlands so passengers no longer need to wonder when their next train will arrive.
Rail travellers are now able to look at electronic information displays and hear automatic passenger announcements which tell them the exact time that their train is due by linking in to signalling technology.
The system has been funded by Centro and the Department for Transport's Access for All Small Schemes Fund at a total cost of £4.5million.
Investment in congestion-cutting schemes, such as Park and Ride sites at rail stations is an important part of our efforts to encourage more people onto public transport.
Park and Ride takes some 2.5 million car journeys off the West Midlands' congested roads every year. Around 6,500 spaces are provided at 37 stations, and all have 'Safer Parking' accreditation in recognition of low crime and vandalism levels.
The Birmingham New Street Gateway project will transform the existing 1960s station into a spacious, light filled transport hub for the 21st Century when it opens in 2015.
Gateway will turn New Street station into a world-class entrance to the city and the region. The plans are the product of a partnership between Centro, Network Rail, Birmingham City Council and Advantage West Midlands.
The public and private investment will see the complete redesign and redevelopment of the station and surrounding area, creating a landmark building and public transport facility fit to accommodate growth over the next 30 years.
Highlights include more space, greatly increasing passenger-handling capacity, with world-class passenger facilities. There will be brighter, cleaner and clearer platforms with better access from 42 new escalators and 14 new lifts. A new, enlarged concourse nearly four times bigger than the current space will be transformed into a giant atrium, flooding the station with natural light.
A new contemporary station exterior will complement the redeveloped city centre with two new open public spaces: a piazza on the south side of the station and a public square opposite the Bullring, new pedestrian links across the city centre will give direct access and interchange with the planned Metro stop in Stephenson Street.
The project will be the catalyst for economic development at the heart of the city and deliver significant wider regeneration potential for the region, including better access to jobs and training for local people and an increase in the number of business travellers and visitors seeking to invest or spend in the region.
