The Commonwealth Games in Birmingham was a fabulous celebration of sport and a welcome showcase for my home City. It's all the more remarkable given the challenges COVID posed during the final years of planning and construction, on top of less than five years to deliver the event following the withdrawal of the original host city, Durban, back in 2017.
Rail played a major role in getting spectators around the city and to venues across the Midlands - this was also a truly regional Games. Over two million journeys were made by rail during the Games, with event ticket holders offered free travel on public transport in the West Midlands.
Investment in new public transport infrastructure was delivered to help visitors get around the city. Increased capacity was delivered at Perry Barr and University rail stations, close to key Games venues, and the final phase of the west side Metro, a 1.35km extension to Edgbaston, opened in mid-July. Perry Barr is close to the Alexander Stadium, the home of athletics in Birmingham, where the opening and closing ceremonies took place, and the station was used by more than 25,000 passengers during the Games. It is these investments which leave a notable legacy for the West Midlands, improving the quality and capacity of public transport for generations to come.
Steer is proud to have supported the planning and delivery of the Games. It's a Brum Ting.
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