Pre Metro Operations

Pre Metro Operations Ltd[1] is an open-access LRT train operating company in the United Kingdom, based in Stourbridge in the West Midlands. It was founded by Philip Evans in 1999 and commenced operations in June 2009 following a trial operation on the Stourbridge branch line in 2005/06.

Pre Metro Operations Ltd
Class 139 at Stourbridge Junction in September 2019
Franchise(s)Open access operator
Not subject to franchising
Commenced operations in June 2009
Main route(s)Stourbridge Junction - Stourbridge Town
Fleet size2 Class 139s
Stations called at2
Stations operated0
Other
Websitepremetro.co.uk

Pre Metro Operations operate services on the short Stourbridge Town Branch Line on behalf of the West Midlands rail franchise, using two Class 139 railcars. During the current West Midlands franchise period, which is scheduled to run until March 2026, the service is branded as a West Midlands Railway service, operated on behalf of franchise-holder West Midlands Trains. The service is referred to as the Stourbridge Shuttle.

Pre Metro Operations themselves are not subject to franchising as they are an open-access operator.

The company is involved with several planned light rail projects currently seeking approval. The most popular proposed route would see a light rail vehicle introduced between heavy rail operations on the line between Stourbridge Junction, Brierley Hill, and Waterfront. This proposal is featured in Andy Street's twenty-year West Midland's Metro and Rail plan among many others.

History

Pre Metro Operations was formed in 1999 as an independent train operating company, with the intention of running services on short branch lines across the UK using railcars built by Parry People Movers.[2] The company received depot and operating licences from the ORR. This initiative followed a period where no other rail or tramway operator was prepared to undertake the Stourbridge operation. The company is now looking to expand its operations elsewhere in the UK and is not tied to any one vehicle manufacturer.

Between 2005 and 2006, a prototype Parry People Movers railcar, 999900, entered service on the Stourbridge Town Branch Line in order to test the viability of using PPMs on branch lines. Subsequently, it was decided to make the trial permanent. Two Class 139 railcars were constructed in 2008, and Pre Metro Operations used these to take over full operation of the line from London Midland in June 2009.[2]

The Stourbridge Shuttle

Pre Metro Operations currently operate one route, the Stourbridge Town Branch Line between Stourbridge Junction and Stourbridge Town.

From Monday to Saturday there are six trains per hour in both directions, with services running every ten minutes using a single Class 139 railcar, with the second Class 139 as a spare. An end-to-end journey on the branch line takes three minutes. Weekday services commence at around 0600 and draw to a close shortly after midnight, with Saturday services starting later and ending earlier.

On Sundays, there are four trains per hour operating every fifteen minutes in both directions, with services commencing around 1000 and ending around 2000.

In 2018, Pre Metro Operations celebrated the Shuttle's 5 millionth passenger.[3]

Awards

Pre Metro won the 2016 and 2017 "Highly Commended" at the Global Light Rail Conferences hosted by Mainspring.[4]

Rolling stock

The Pre Metro Operations fleet consists of two Class 139 railcars manufactured by Parry People Movers, numbered 139001 and 139002. During normal service, one railcar is used per day, with the other as a spare or undergoing maintenance.

The railcars are maintained at a small purpose-built depot at Stourbridge Junction.

Class Image Type Top Speed Number Routes Operated Built
mph km/h
139 Parry People Mover Railcar 40 64 2 Stourbridge Town Branch Line 2008

References
  1. "Home - Welcome to Pre Metro! - Pre Metro Operations Ltd". Pre Metro Operations Ltd.
  2. "About Pre Metro - Pre Metro Operations Ltd".
  3. "Surprise for Stourbridge Shuttle passenger as passengers hit five million". www.expressandstar.com. Retrieved 4 February 2021.
  4. "Stourbridge Shuttle Scoops Top Award". Black Country Radio. Retrieved 4 February 2021.
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