The growing availability of advance fares, including the ability to buy tickets on the day for as little as £33 between Birmingham and London, has also played a big part in encouraging more customers to leave the car at home and travel by train, both for business and staycation trips. The average fare paid by customers on the journeys to and from London fell by 2.0%. 

The increase in numbers was warmly received by Paul Faulkner, CEO of Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce: “As our region continues to go from strength to strength, it’s essential we have first class rail links to support this growth. It’s great to see Virgin Trains investing heavily in improving services between the West Midlands and London.

“Not only are Virgin Trains putting the needs of the customer at the heart of the travel experience, they are a playing a massive part in enriching regional connectivity – all of which will help unlock the economic potential of the Midlands and bring prosperity to the country as a whole.”