Virgin Trains to invest millions into Wolverhampton train station

Author: Ashley Curtis - 20 May 2013

Wolverhampton is set to be the recipient of a multi-million pound investment after bosses at Virgin Trains confirmed it will be funding a redevelopment of the area's train station, claims expressandstar.com.  

Furthermore, new technology is being developed that will offer people the cheapest tickets possible even if bought on the day of travel, adds onenewspage.co.uk.

The long-awaited rebuild has been backed by Tony Collins who runs the West Coast Main Line franchise for Sir Richard Branson. He confirmed the company is prepared to slightly alter the train station design by investing in front of house ticketing service and waiting rooms.

However while the firm is ready to invest, the majority of the money would still have to come from the government.

Collins has also called on the government to 'protect Virgin's investment' by making it a condition of the West Coast Main Line franchise that whoever gets the next deal in 2017 must pick up the bill.

Commenting on the investment, Collins said: "We would need the Department for Transport (DfT) to make investment part of the longer term franchise. They are on board with this. The right thing to do is recognise that Wolverhampton station is in desperate need of development. It's right for us to be part of that development programme.

"Network Rail own the site. The sort of things we can invest in is ticketing technology, front of house and waiting rooms," he added.