Extra buses for Birmingham Commonwealth audience to combat planned rail strike

Friday, July 15, 2022

Transport chief said, that more than 200 extra buses and coaches will be installed to transport people to Commonwealth Games. This is happening as a result of the railway RMT union strike. They will observe a one-day strike on 27 July. The drivers who are members of Aslef plan to walk out on 30 July. The officials stated that this will be a huge blow to the transportation requirement, thus the buses have been launched.

Transport for West Midlands said that there are plans for including 60,000 additional park and ride spaces for the Commonwealth Games.

The public body, which is responsible for coordinating transport services in the region, has urged people to use public transport to travel to the venues.
He further stressed the fact that public transportation will be available for the passengers.
Additional 50 extra coaches will be provided to get all the passengers from Birmingham to the wider West Midland. Along with these, there will be 150 extra free-to-use shuttle buses. These will be available to spectators, staff and volunteers.

Jonny Wiseman, West Midlands Trains customer experience director, said that it’s incredibly disappointing to see that unions have chosen to take this course of damaging industrial action when the need is at its peak. Both the RMT and Aslef unions stated that the long-time pay gap, as well as working condition deterioration, are the major reasons for the skrike.

Andy Street, the West Midlands’ Conservative mayor has tweeted stating that it is deeply disappointing and unnecessary for rail workers to decide to disrupt the Commonwealth Games in this way.

He urged them to think again because it’s not too late to do the right thing and protect what should be a collective celebration.

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