- Birmingham’s annual Christmas markets mean busier trains for CrossCountry customers.
- Rail passengers travelling to and from the seasonal markets should check their journey and avoid the last train home where possible.
- Revellers are reminded that a no-tolerance approach to fare evasion and anti-social behaviour is in place across the rail network.
Train operator CrossCountry is giving some advice to Birmingham city centre visitors as the seasonal markets begin this week.
Birmingham’s Frankfurt Christmas Markets, running from Friday 1 November until Tuesday 24 December, bring thousands of festive revellers into the city centre and mean busier trains than usual – especially later in the evenings.
Though more seats will be provided where possible, later services from Birmingham New Street will be extremely busy - passengers shouldn’t rely on the last train home and plan their journey well in advance.
Steve Hopkinson, CrossCountry’s Service Delivery Director, said: “We know the markets are very popular and mean busier trains. We don’t want to leave any customers on the platform and encourage anyone visiting the markets to plan ahead and not rely on finding a seat on the last train home.
“I’d remind passengers that our colleagues are working hard to get customers where they need to be. We have a zero-tolerance approach towards any anti-social behaviour directed at our employees and will work with the police to prosecute to the full extent of the law.”
Away from the festivities, Christmas markets can also lead to an unacceptable increase in antisocial behaviour and harassment of onboard colleagues.
The four weeks before Christmas 2023 saw Public Order Offences, including instances of anti-social behaviour on CrossCountry colleagues, increase by 14.3% on the previous year.
Steven Ireland, head of stations, security and customer relationship management for Network Rail’s Central route, said: “All we want is for people to enjoy the Christmas season and get to where they need to be safely.
“We’ve got extra staff on hand to help provide advice and information and have the support of a dedicated anti-social behaviour team and St John Ambulance to help keep passengers and staff safe during this very busy time.
“As Birmingham New Street station will be busier than normal, please plan ahead and check before you travel.”
Engineering work over the Christmas period will also mean changes to journeys later in the year.
For more detail on journeys and to check before travelling, customers can use the CrossCountry app or visit the National Rail Enquiries website.
Contact Information
CrossCountry Press Office
[email protected]About CrossCountry
CrossCountry is a long-distance passenger train operator, with a network stretching from Aberdeen to Penzance and from Stansted to Cardiff and calling at over 100 stations. Based in Birmingham, CrossCountry connects seven of Britain’s 10 largest cities and delivers 240 services every weekday, equating to over 42 million passenger journeys each year.
For further information on CrossCountry services, visit crosscountrytrains.co.uk or visit one of our social media platforms via X @crosscountryuk or Facebook at facebook.com/crosscountrytrains
Long-distance train operator CrossCountry has announced adjustments to its timetable from 14 December, as part of the rail industry’s twice-yearly timetable review.
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- Services on Sunday 24 August are also likely to be subject to cancellations across all CrossCountry routes
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