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Thursday 21 Jul 2022

Rail staff ready to be Commonwealth Games travel volunteers

Region & Route:

North West & Central

| North West & Central: Central

More than 300 volunteers from across the rail industry will be helping visitors travelling by train to Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games venues.

They'll assist passengers making the huge number of extra journeys expected across the West Midlands during the 12-day sporting spectacle which starts next Thursday (28 July).

One hundred and fifty Network Rail employees and more than 150 people from train operators and companies have volunteered to support passengers at key stations throughout the Games.

They will join forces with the dozens of customer service staff already working at stations to give a warm West Midlands welcome to people coming to the region from all over the world.

Anyone planning to travel between 28 July and 8 August is being advised to plan their journey in advance by using www.nationalrail.co.uk.

Network Rail’s three tips to passengers and visitors are:

• Check before you travel,
• Plan your journey, and
• Leave more time than usual to reach your destination. 

Birmingham New Street, Birmingham Moor Street, Birmingham International, Coventry, Leamington Spa, Perry Barr, and Warwick are all expected to be among the busiest stations during the games.

Denise Wetton, Network Rail’s Central route director, said: “We can’t wait to welcome spectators to our exciting summer of sport, especially at Birmingham New Street which is such a vital gateway to the city and venues. 

“It’s brilliant that so many colleagues from across the rail industry will be on hand to help passengers and ultimately make sure the Commonwealth Games are remembered for sport, not transport.” 

Wendy Morton MP, Rail Minister, said: “I’m delighted to see that over 300 volunteers from across the rail industry will be doing their part to assist and welcome spectators to the Commonwealth Games this summer. 

“Our rail volunteers will play a key role in making the Commonwealth Games a huge success and something the whole country can get behind.” 

Alex Warner, chair of the Grand Railway Collaboration*, said: “Having rail industry colleagues volunteering at some of our busiest stations is one thing we’re working on across the rail industry to get ready for the Games. Wherever passengers are headed, they can certainly rely on a helping hand from our fantastic volunteers throughout the Commonwealth Games.” 

The Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games are taking place from Thursday 28 July until Monday 8 August.  

Across Birmingham and the West Midlands, 15 venues will play host to 20 sports, with trains and stations expected to be much busier than usual. 

Passengers can plan their journeys and check before they travel at www.nationalrail.co.uk.