13 important reasons why Birmingham New Street is not the UK’s worst train station

Birmingham New Street has been named the worst train station in the UK - and one of the worst in Europe - in a new study

It hailed a new era for Birmingham when it was reopened in 2015 - with Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II no less officially marking the occasion.

New Street Station is at the very centre of city centre life - it’s the hub most people pass through on a visit to town. A landmark meeting spot for friends catching up or saying goodbye amid an abundance of shops and restaurants to enjoy.

But that’s not good enough for this year’s annual European Railway Station Index which has ranked 50 of Europe’s largest train stations by measuring passenger volume and travel experience.

Our huge state-of-the-art New Street has been ranked at number 43. That’s way behind London Bridge which came in at number 16 and Liverpool Street which was ranked at 21. Other UK train stations included in the ranking was London Waterloo, placed at 29 and London Euston came in at 25.

Of course it’s still the only UK rail station outside London to be included in the European ranking of the biggest stations - which is a feat in itself. 

But the report has been picked up by the London-centric national press who have chosen to highlight Birmingham as having UK’s ‘worst train station’.

I wonder if they've been to London Euston lately? Birmingham New Street is a gazillion times better - it's barely changed since the 1990s and is in much need of some TLC.

The report was based on a number of categories, including operating hours, types of tickets, waiting times, delayed trains, in-station information, escalators/lifts, wheelchair and restroom accessibility, shops/kiosks, restaurants, lounges, smartphone application, free WIFI, transport connections, international coverage, competition and ride sharing.

Here’s 13 very valid reasons why Birmingham New Street is not the UK’s worst train station: