New rail contract will mean more parking, free wifi, and tougher punctuality targets

The contract, which extends the current agreement to October 2017, features £13 million worth of improvements around 6,600 extra seats, free Wi-Fi and new and upgraded ticket machines at selected stations.

London Midland will also have to meet new targets to improve train cleanliness, install CCTV on cross-city Birmingham services, and equip station staff with tablets to improve the information given to customers.

And the company will have to provide 400 extra car parking spaces across three stations – Watford, Hemel Hempstead and Tamworth

London Midland managing director Patrick Verwer said: “This new franchise offers some very exciting opportunities and will bring benefits touching every element of our passengers’ journeys.

“It will enable us to continue delivering improvements for our customers and, as before, we remain committed to listening to our passengers and working with our stakeholders, communities and local elected representatives to make further improvements in the months ahead.”

London Midland’s franchise includes the London Euston - Northampton line, which calls at stops including Kings Langley, Hemel Hempstead, Berkhamsted, Tring, Cheddington, Leighton Buzzard, Bletchley, Tring, Milton Keynes and Wolverton.

It also covers routes including the Marston Vale line, London Euston - Birmingham New Street, Birmingham New Street – Liverpool Lime Street, and the St Albans Branch Line.