Passengers have complained that promised new trains with an ‘extra’ carriage - are in fact First Class.
And it has emerged that some of the new trains have FEWER standard class seats than the previous old ones.
When travellers took to Twitter to complain they were told there was ‘more room for standing’ on the new services.
The Rugeley to Walsall line and onwards into Birmingham New Street has been upgraded following electrification - and one of the benefits was highlighted as extra carriages.
However passengers have been disappointed to discover that the change from three carriages to four includes First Class - on normal commuter trains.
And in fact it has emerged that some trains have fewer seats than before - but the rail operator told customers ‘there’s more room within the trains for anyone standing’.
One traveller said: “It is a bit disappointing that the carriages have seemed to be more overcrowded than ever on the Chase Line - only with an extra empty first class carriage to make you feel even worse.
“We had new trains on the first ever day and everyone was so excited. Unfortunately since then we have had knackered old Class 350 trains with filthy seats and seats so narrow you’d have to be Posh Spice to fit on them properly.
"Also in the evenings instead of starting at New Street the trains are coming all the way from London Euston - this must surely mean that they will be more unreliable."
A commuter who travels in each day from Hednesford added: “I’ve never seen the carriages so busy - it has been absolutely rammed in the evenings especially.”
One person tweeted West Midlands Railway: “I think you’ll find the passengers that have been eagerly awaiting new trains and additional seats don’t want or care about 1st class. We just want a comfortable journey to work.
“There may be more space but from what I have seen there are less supports and hold points in the carriages for those standing which again doesn’t bode well for those of us who have difficulties standing.”
Network West Midlands which administers the fare scheme said passengers with Swift cards cannot upgrade their tickets on the trains. A First Class Swiftcard is avaialble - but this is around £50 extra per month for zones 1-5.
In comments to passengers on Twitter @WestMidRailway said they would review the First Class situation: “The trains come with the 1st class compartments already in them - they weren’t specially added in as a promotional stunt, but the fact is, there’s more room on board these services now.
"It’s good to remember that we don’t guarantee everyone will get a seat so this improves it to some degree (though we know it’s not ideal). And we will be reviewing the use of the 1st class carriage between RGL-BHM perhaps declassifying it.
“I’ve just done a comparison with the pre-May change, 06:39 service. It had 206 standard seats. The new 06:45 has 203 standard and 24 1st. Despite having 3 less seats there’s more room within the trains for anyone standing. We’re also reviewing the offering of 1st class RGL-BHM.”
