1. Making the Right Connections: Case for Centro taking ownership of West Midlands Rail Stations BARCELONA, November 2010 Maria P Machancoses Regeneration & Planning Manager, Centro

2. Background The UK Franchising process is undergoing a radical review: –Securing better quality of services for passengers (as users of the railway) –Delivering better value for money for taxpayers (as funders of the railway) –Creating a more sustainable railway UK Coalition Government – Overarching Objectives: –Need for private sector jobs and growth –Need to rebalance the economy –Need to decentralise government and pass powers to the local level Opportunity (for PTEs) to influence future franchising arrangements Centro current focus: Rail Stations Ownership

3. Structure for the maintenance and management of rail stations is fragmented: Centro: 67 rail stations (63 wider area), 40m passengers/annum & 2.8% patronage increase next year.... Rail stations are owned by Network Rail Maintenance/renewal objectives divided by Network Rail and the lead Train Operating Company or station facility owner Park and Ride sites are owned by Centro Overall management of the stations undertaken by the Train Operating Company “Why?”

4. Passenger aspirations and values

5. Our Principles Quality Matters - Consistent Standards Long Term Strategic Vision Joined up thinking - Smarter Delivery Fulfilling Passengers’ Needs - Ease and Convenience Your Local Rail Station – Sense of Place

7. CONCLUSIONS Whole Journey Experience Make rail stations work better for passengers and the community. More effectively deliver our transport strategy to meet our transport objectives including community cohesion. Develop/ improve multi-modal interchanges. Develop a consistent image/branding across the Centro network. Increase sense of local ownership of stations. Clarify and simplify accountabilities at stations.