Surprise for Stourbridge Shuttle passenger as passengers hit five million
And now arriving at platform one – passenger number five million!
Jo Aldred was presented with a gift voucher, flowers and a framed certificate as she stepped off the Stourbridge Shuttle – much to her surprise.
Mrs Aldred, who lives in Stourbridge, said she regularly uses the 0.8 mile service that runs between Stourbridge Town Centre to Stourbridge Junction and lays claim to being Europe’s shortest branch line.
But the grandmother was given a shock when rail staff approached her to let her know the exciting news.
The 80-year-old said: “I use the shuttle regularly and it’s a really useful and reliable service.
“It’s wonderful. I can’t walk that far and I like to go into town to meet people.
“I was very surprised to be told I was the five millionth passenger, but I must have made many of those journeys myself, over the years.”
Since they began operation in 2009, the service travels daily between Stourbridge’s town and junction railway stations as part of the West Midlands Railway network.
It currently carries around 10,500 passengers per week covering 0.8 miles (1.3 km).
Using innovative technology, the shuttle is renowned for providing a high-frequency, environmentally friendly service as well as it being highly reliable and easy to access which is the best the line has seen in its 130-plus year history.
Mrs Aldred was presented with a gift voucher to shop in Stourbridge as well as a framed certificate and flowers at the celebratory event which took place at Stourbridge Junction Railway Station on Platform 1 last week.
An excited Mrs Aldred happily posed for pictures as she clutched her gift, flowers and a certificate officially declaring her as the rare five millionth passenger.
Steve Jasper, Pre Metro Operations Director, which operates the Stourbridge Shuttle in partnership with West Midlands Railway, said he was delighted to hand the award Mrs Aldred.
He said: “It’s another milestone for us, and one we are particularly happy to celebrate.
“Our passenger numbers continue to rise, year on year, and our passengers tell us that they appreciate the high-frequency, reliable service which we provide.”
