Don't let the train take the strain: Rail chiefs in bizarre 'stay away' plea
Transport bosses worried about overcrowding on their trains have issued an extraordinary plea for passengers NOT to use their services in the pre-Christmas rush.
London Midland urged travellers to think about other options if they were planning to catch trains over the next two weekends as they struggle to cope with demand.
The operator said it will be making a host of improvements across the Black Country and Staffordshire network, but that passengers should allow extra time for their journey if they choose to travel with them.
Its head of Snow Hill services, Brenda Lawrence, said: "With the Christmas markets in full swing trains are getting very busy. We want everyone to enjoy the festivities and travel comfortably. So the advice is to avoid catching the train between 6pm and 8pm on a Friday or Saturday, if you can, and allow more time for your journey."
Kidderminster trader Darren Ellis caught the train with his wife Louisa from Birmingham Snow Hill after attending the city's German market last Saturday.
He said the train had been full, with only two carriages for passengers that evening on the Birmingham to Worcester via Kidderminster line.
Mr Ellis, who works as an engraver, said: "When the train came into Snow Hill, passengers just lunged into it. It was really uncomfortable, it was just unbelievable. I had never experienced anything like that in my life. I didn't know if (the driver) had stopped the train.
"I have used the trains before and they have been great. But I have never been on a train so packed."
Mr Ellis added: "I would say that they need to put some extra coaches on the train. People are paying for the service."
London Midland introduced a queuing system at Snow Hill station from last night. It is in place from 6pm to 8pm on Friday and Saturday evenings for the next two weekends. The company said it has been put in place to help commuters and shoppers.
London Midland Spokesman Francis Thomas told the Express & Star: "What we do at this time of year is change our maintenance schedules to make sure that we have some extra carriages out on the Snow Hill lines but even with the amount of people travelling we are getting very, very busy.
"It's all about trying to get information to people to make their journeys a little bit easier."
Improvements between Monday and Friday on London Midland services include more trains at Lichfield Trent Valley, Rugeley Trent Valley, Stafford and Stone stations on London Euston to Crewe services.
There will also be more frequent services through Bescot Stadium. The operator said that will mean an extra 26 trains stopping there a day.
There will also be more frequent stops there on Saturdays.
