Pre Metro is proud to announce that over 500,000 passengers travelled on the Stourbridge Shuttle during the 2024/25 railway year, marking a major milestone in the service’s post-COVID recovery and reinforcing its role as a vital part of the region’s transport network.

This remarkable achievement reflects not only growing public confidence in public transport but also the continued reliability, frequency, and accessibility of the Shuttle itself, still recognised as one of the most reliable rail services in the UK.

The figure represents a significant bounce-back from pandemic-era lows and highlights the Shuttle’s continued importance to commuters, students, and shoppers travelling between Stourbridge Town and Junction.

With 99% service reliability and a 50% lower operating cost than conventional rail, the Shuttle continues to set the benchmark for cost-effective, sustainable transport.

This upward trend also strengthens the case for the Dudley Dasher—a proposed light rail extension connecting Stourbridge to Brierley Hill via key economic and residential zones. As passenger demand increases and public reliance on the Shuttle grows, so too will the momentum behind the Dasher.

Pre Metro’s Steve Jasper commented:
“Half a million passengers in a single year is a major endorsement of the Shuttle’s role in local connectivity. As demand increases, we’re more confident than ever that the Dasher can deliver similar success by connecting more communities across the region.”

The Shuttle’s place in the region’s future remains essential, and it is laying strong foundations for the Dasher.

With rising patronage, strong political backing, and proven operational performance, Pre Metro remains committed to providing affordable, frequent, and green transport solutions.