00:00Calls have been made for rail services to be increased across the West Midlands to boost
00:05connectivity and support the regional economy. The move follows a decision by the West Midlands
00:10Combined Authority Board to extend a collaboration agreement between West Midlands Rail Executive
00:14and the Department for Transport. The deal gives devolved powers to the Rail Executive,
00:19including the ability to propose changes to fares and passenger services, take on day-to-day
00:24contract and commercial management and retain ownership of the West Midlands Railway brand.
00:30Members of the authority told Mayor Richard Parker that increasing the number of services
00:35would bring benefits for years to come. Mr Parker said he was continuing to lobby
00:39government to ensure different parts of the region get the level of services they need.
00:44City of Wolverhampton council leader Stephen Simpkins said he supported the agreement
00:48and described it as the right thing to do. He said powers and responsibilities should continue to
00:53evolve with full autonomy over trains, networks and operators in the interim period until rail becomes
00:59fully nationalised. He pointed to Shrewsbury to Wolverhampton line as an example of a route that
01:04could expand the network and act as a key economic driver if services ran more regularly.
01:11Councillor Rob Pocock, Birmingham City Council's Cabinet Member for Transformation and Governance,
01:16said new stations at Pineapple Road, Moseley and Kings Heath would be of no value unless
01:21services were reliable and frequent. He said better rail links could
01:25help deal with traffic congestion and strengthen economic connections along the line.
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