'I hope it becomes a permanent thing!' Passengers welcome return of commuter trains to Bewdley after 56 years

The 6.40am Bewdley Express carried its first fare-paying passengers to Kidderminster, where commuters could change onto the main line for services towards Birmingham, Worcester and beyond.

The new service is being operated by Severn Valley Railway (SVR) using its heritage diesel multiple unit, with the three-and-a-half-mile journey between Bewdley and Kidderminster taking around 12 minutes.

It is hoped the new service could make a significant difference to people’s daily commutes.

Sarah Graham, heading to Birmingham, was among the first passengers.

She said: "Usually I'd have to drive to Droitwich station and leave my car there, but Bewdley Station is just about a 15-minute walk from my house so it is ideal really.

"I'm in the office at least four times a week so I'd definitely use it whenever I could.

"It's great for me, and this morning has been really nice. There has been a nice atmosphere and I think everyone is really excited to try this out.

"I hope it becomes a permanent thing."

The launch was also an historic occasion for the town, coming 56 years after Bewdley's previous regular passenger service came to an end.

Bewdley mayor Sharon Harvey said she was delighted to be there to witness the first departure, describing it as a "marvellous" and proud moment for Bewdley.

Train driver Bob Dunn also highlighted a happy coincidence connecting the new service and the trains which once carried passengers along the route.

"By pure coincidence back in 1968 there was a 7.40am departure service that used to run from Bewdley to Kidderminster, although that journey only took nine minutes," he said.

"We are recreating history here, and that's what we do on the Severn Valley Railway, we recreate history, and I'm proud and privileged to be a part of it."

The trial is a partnership between SVR, West Midlands Rail Executive and West Midlands Railway and will run for eight weeks.

Two morning services leave Bewdley at 6.40am and 7.40am on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays, while passengers travelling home can connect at Kidderminster from services leaving Birmingham Snow Hill at 4.46pm and 5.46pm.

SVR chief executive Gus Dunster said the level of interest in the trial had given the railway encouragement that it could become something more permanent.

Speaking at Kidderminster after the first journey, he said: "This morning we're really excited and we've got a really great atmosphere here.

"We want to provide a service that will help people in the Bewdley area to connect to services at Kidderminster, and we've had a lot of interest in it. Hopefully the demand will be there to turn it into something more regular.

"For now the plan is to run two services in the morning and two services in the evening, but if interest builds we could look at services running to and from Bewdley on a regular basis."

Mr Dunster said the service could benefit both commuters travelling out of the area and visitors heading in the opposite direction.

"We'll have people who work in Birmingham or Worcestershire who will need access to Kidderminster Station, and equally if we can bring some people to Kidderminster and Bewdley for leisure purposes that would be great too," he said.

He added that becoming more closely involved in everyday life in the area was an important ambition for the heritage railway.

"We want to be more than just a tourist railway, we want to be part of the local rail network and actually a part of people's daily lives as well," he said.

"There's a commercial element to it as well because heritage railways aren't cheap to run, and so commercial diversity is very important to us."

A return journey between Bewdley and Birmingham costs £16, while Bewdley to Kidderminster costs £3.60 return or £2 for a single.

Passenger numbers and travel patterns during the next eight weeks will now be assessed to help determine whether there is sufficient demand for services to continue in the future.