Birmingham City matchday train service update for pre-Christmas fixtures

A rail company has provided an update on its Birmingham City FC matchday train service trial ahead of the club’s pre-Christmas fixtures. The trial, which has seen trains stop at Bordesley Railway Station, but only in one direction pre-match and reversing post-match, is to be extended for two more games, West Midlands Railway said.

Bordesley does not receive a regular service. It saw just 15,116 passengers from April 2023 to March 2024 – one of the lowest in the country. But the station’s ‘matchday service pattern’ has seen Birmingham-bound trains make stops at Bordesley before Blues’ games. And after the game, only trains bound for Dorridge and Stratford-upon-Avon will call at the station.

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Passengers needing services in the opposite direction was advised to use Birmingham Moor Street as the nearest alternative. Bordesley station is around a ten-minute walk from the St Andrew’s ground, while Moor Street is around a half-hour walk.

The new train calling pattern was first used for the fixture against Northampton Town on Saturday, November 9. But a second fixture against Stevenage on Saturday, November 16, was postponed due to international call-ups, meaning the trial could not take place.

Now, the West Midlands rail company has confirmed the trial will be extended for a further two matches, covering Blues’ home fixtures against Stockport County on December 4 and Bristol Rovers on December 14. There will be no West Midlands Railway services on Boxing Day.

Jonny Wiseman, customer experience director for West Midlands Railway, said: “The safety of our customers is our top priority. Extending our new matchday calling pattern for a further two fixtures will provide certainty for passengers and will allow us to properly assess the effectiveness of the train service.

“Due to the unusual layout of Bordesley station, queuing systems will remain in place to limit the number of passengers on the platform at one time. We are continuing to engage with the football club, Birmingham City Council and Transport for West Midlands to support passengers travelling to and from Birmingham City football matches safely and efficiently.”