Pre Metro Operations Ltd is founded as an independent train operating company to establish innovative and low-cost light rail transit services on branch lines across the UK.  The company first sees the potential to help link the Stourbridge community with light rail technology using the Stourbridge Town to Stourbridge Junction branch line. The idea was supported by the West Midlands Passenger Transport Authority and plans began to take shape.

We run an experimental service on Sundays to prove the viability of a low-cost light rail service on the Stourbridge Town to Stourbridge Junction branch line using a prototype PPM Railcar. A small depot is constructed on a piece of rail-connected land owned by Network Rail.  Following the success of this trial, we were awarded depot and operating licences from the ORR and PPM began the development of two Class 139 LPG fuelled, flywheel hybrid Railcars. The two Railcars were financed by and are still owned by Porterbrook Leasing.

After three years of preparation, we begin running 7-day services on the Stourbridge branch line, replacing the existing heavy rail operation performed with a single Class 153 DMU. Contracted by the former franchise holder, London Midland, we use the new innovative Class 139 Railcars to operate the railway with a 99.7% reliability record and provide a Sunday service on the line for the first time in 95 years.

The operation at Stourbridge has seen our patronage grow, our frequency increase, emissions have been cut, and service operational costs have been reduced.  In consideration of this, we were awarded “Highly Commended” at the Global Light Rail Awards for the second consecutive year and remain the only award-winning VLR operators in the UK. The franchise changes hands and we now operate the service for West Midlands Railway until 2026.

The Stourbridge Shuttle has become a vital service for the local community. The operation celebrates its 5 millionth passenger Jo Aldred! The service carries an average of 50,000 passengers every month with an average reliability of 99.8%.

The Company looks to establish another service in the West Midlands, proposing the use of light rail vehicles on the Brierley Hill to Stourbridge Junction line with the support of Stourbridge MP Suzanne Webb. We perform a trial run on the line using a former British Rail inspection saloon vehicle and find several potential sites where new stations could be built.

Following the UK being subject to a national lockdown in response to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, the company ensures the safety of its passengers and employees through the frequent cleaning of our services and by providing clear health and safety guidance. Our Brierley Hill plans are temporarily put on hold.

The company worked with Dynamite Design to launch our new rebranding and logo at the beginning of the year. Our two class 139s are refurbished and the branch line undergoes extensive work with cleaning, foliage removal, and track relayed. This is the first serious track work to be done to the line since 1979. You can view a project timelapse here.

West Midlands Mayor Andy Street visits our Shuttle operation and supports further light rail operations in the area, such as the ‘Stourbridge Dasher’. Following our third round bid in the “Restoring Your Railway” scheme, the DfT recommends that we pursue the CRSTS to fiscally support feasibility studies.

The introduction of our eco-friendly shuttle service on the Stourbridge branch line, which was 50% cleaner than the previous Class 153 DMU, has reduced the carbon output of the branch line significantly since operations began. To highlight this, we begin to develop our carbon-reduction strategy, marking a significant step forward in our commitment to sustainability and reducing the environmental impact, which you can learn more about here.

We continue our promotion of the Stourbridge Dasher proposal, leading to widespread support and involvement from our peers and colleagues within the industry. Within Stourbridge, we support the local Side By Side Theatre charity with a fundraising event at the Junction and sponsor the Stourbridge Military Vehicle Parade – an annual parade founded by Shuttle driver, David Spruce, to raise funds for the Royal British Legion Poppy Appeal in the build-up to Armistice Day.

We launch our Bigger Picture Strategy Document at the UK Light Rail Conference, showcasing our aspirations to expand operational capacity and propel the growth of Dudley’s transport landscape in an easy and accessible way. This strategy provides us with a robust framework for local railway development within Dudley and lays out our vision for the establishment of another Very Light Rail service – you can read this here.

Locally, we support our Shuttle driver, Dave Spruce, as he raises a staggering £100,000 through charity work of the Midlands Air Ambulance Charity. We also received a visit from newly-elected MP, Cat Eccles, who endorsed our proposal to connect Stourbridge and Brierley Hill.