January

At the start of the year, Pre Metro’s Press and Marketing Officer Charlie Merrell travelled across Italy, Germany, Spain, and Portugal by tram and train, exploring lessons the UK can learn from European light rail networks. His experiences were compiled into a series of blogs, available on our website or our LinkedIn page as part of the International Insights collection.

February

In February, we concluded our collaboration with Oakham Research, which had conducted a comprehensive public consultation on the Dasher service since October 2023. The study, publicly released in May, gathered insights from 322 businesses, assessing their views on local transport and the potential impact of the Dasher.

Among respondents, 82% expressed a positive outlook on the service, rising to 87% among Merry Hill businesses. While 32% rated existing transport links as good or very good, 33% considered them poor or very poor, reinforcing the need for improvements. Additionally, 66% of businesses saw the Dasher as beneficial to their operations, while 40% overall and 63% of Merry Hill businesses anticipated increased weekly footfall. The study provided a strong endorsement of the Dasher’s economic and social benefits for the local community.

March

March saw national media attention for Neil Hughes’ remarkable journey—a 700-mile round trip from Scotland to Stourbridge to ride the Shuttle. His 18-hour adventure involved three flights and six train services, inspired by Geoff Marshall and Vicki Pipe’s 2017 UK rail station tour. Neil’s story, shared on the Dull Men’s Club Facebook page, quickly went viral, earning coverage in the Express & Star and BBC, further showcasing the Shuttle’s unique appeal.

That month, we also supported Driver Dave Spruce’s Annual Vintage Tractor Run on March 17th, providing custom mugs for attendees. The event saw a fleet of tractors set off from Lower Cockshutt Farm, stopping in Bridgnorth High Street, where donations were collected. As the sun finally broke through, the event wrapped up successfully, raising over £2,000 for the Midlands Air Ambulance Charity.

April

April marked the start of a new Railway Year, bringing refreshed statistical targets and opportunities. However, lingering service performance issues and a drive axle failure on 139001 tested the team’s resilience.

Despite setbacks, the experience enhanced our engineering team’s expertise, revealing previously unappreciated skills and strengthening our problem-solving approach. These challenges ultimately reinforced confidence in our ability to maintain and operate the Shuttle effectively.

May

In May, Operations Director Steve Jasper raised concerns about cost management in the West Midlands Metro (WMM) expansion after a BBC article highlighted soaring expenses and delays. Reports suggested that Midland Metro costs rank among the highest globally for similar projects, raising concerns over financial oversight.

While Transport for West Midlands cited UK-specific infrastructure costs, safety regulations, and urban construction complexities, the failure to deliver affordable light rail risks inflating public misconceptions about industry-wide costs. The Midland Metro Alliance, established to ensure cost-effective projects, has instead seen persistent budget overruns and delays. This raises a critical question: why not work with a local, community-focused operator like Pre Metro to deliver sustainable, efficient, and affordable light rail solutions?

June

Following maintenance challenges and ongoing depot floor concerns, we partnered with Worlifts, specialists in rail vehicle lifting, to support heavy maintenance repairs on the 139s. This included a drive axle replacement for 139001 and new wheel pans for both 139001 and 139002.

To address structural issues, we developed robust vehicle support trestles that allowed weight distribution through the railhead rather than the depot floor. Additionally, lightweight plastic support blocks and improved pneumatic jacks enabled safer, more efficient lifts. These advancements streamlined maintenance and set a new standard for future servicing operations.

July

July was a milestone month for the Shuttle team, featuring both charitable efforts and industry engagement. Shuttle Driver Dave Spruce and Director Steve Jasper visited the Midlands Air Ambulance Charity’s new headquarters, where they toured the state-of-the-art airbase. The company also donated £3,695 towards Spruce’s £100,000 fundraising goal, supporting his two-decade-long commitment to the charity.

Meanwhile, we promoted the Stourbridge Dasher at the Mainspring UK Light Rail Conference, launching the Bigger Picture Strategy. We distributed strategy documents, presented February’s survey results, and highlighted the Dasher’s role in improving local rail access. MD Phil Evans also challenged the Midland Metro Alliance and WMCA over rising costs and lack of transparency, reinforcing the need for cost-effective light rail solutions.

August

August marked the start of our collaboration with Lightweight Community Transport Limited (LCTL) to retrofit Car 12, a historic railcar first used in 2005 as a low-cost light rail prototype on the Stourbridge Branch Line. After suffering vandalism at Severn Valley Railway, Car 12 was retrieved, cleaned, and moved to Dudley’s Very Light Rail Innovation Centre (VLRNIC) for restoration.

Plans include exploring alternative fuel sources and replacing the original flywheel with modern battery technology. MD Phil Evans emphasized its significance, stating, “We are looking forward to using Car 12 as a testbed for lightweight technology to extend the Shuttle’s lifecycle.” Car 12 is now at a maintenance facility in Burton, set for a new phase in VLR innovation.

September

In September, we relaunched the Pre Metro website with design refinements by Dynamite Design, aligning it with our original vision. The update introduced an enhanced timeline, strategy document access, and a refreshed Ethos.

A key addition is our green and net-zero targets, aiming to reduce CO2 emissions from 70 to 50 tonnes by 2026, with an aspiration for net-zero by 2030. We also set a goal of 8 million passenger journeys by 2026, reinforcing our commitment to sustainable transport solutions.

October

In early October, MP Cat Eccles and Councillor Jason Griffin visited the Shuttle depot to discuss the future of Shuttle operations and the Dasher project. Hosted by Director Steve Jasper, they toured the facility, assessed potential station stops, and explored a new depot site along the proposed Stourbridge–Brierley Hill route.

Both officials expressed strong support, with Eccles pledging to engage local leaders, including Mayor Richard Parker, to push the project forward. Pre Metro now hopes to arrange a Revolution VLR test site visit, where they can explore next-generation rolling stock for a Stourbridge–Dudley connection.

November

On November 9th, the third annual Stourbridge Military Vehicle Parade drew record-breaking crowds, raising funds for the British Legion’s Poppy Appeal. Organised by Driver Dave Spruce, the parade showcased 40 historic military vehicles, led by The Shirley Pipe Band, and featured local dignitaries, including the Mayor of Dudley.

We also sponsored a best-dressed window competition, with Mary Stevens Hospice shop winning £150, Eyewise Opticians securing £100 for Peppers Pet Rescue, and Card Stop receiving £50 for Mary Stevens Hospice. The event reinforced Stourbridge’s strong sense of community and commitment to remembrance.

December

As the year ended, we focused on behind-the-scenes engagement, attending UKTram VLR Working Party meetings to promote new schemes and collaborating with Network Rail’s Mixed Use Railways Workshop to advocate for passenger services on freight lines like the Dasher.

Through these strategic collaborations, we will continue to advocate for innovative, cost-effective, and community-focused rail solutions that benefit all local businesses and passengers.