Passengers are urged to plan their journeys with hundreds of thousands of savvy shoppers expected to travel into Birmingham for Black Friday.

Last year over 200,000 people* passed through Birmingham New Street for the pre-Christmas sales – over 40,000 more than a usual Friday. The weekend is also predicted to be one of the busiest of the year as the Black Friday deals, Christmas market and weekend celebrations draw people into the city centre.

With trains and platforms expected to be busier as a result - passengers are being urged to follow three golden rules if planning on heading into the second-city by train. To help have the smoothest journeys over the Black Friday weekend and the festive season, passengers should:

  • Plan your journey and check before you travel at www.nationalrail.co.uk  
  • Know your last few trains and don’t rely on the last service to get home – it will be extremely busy
  • Respect staff and other travellers during the season of goodwill

Elizabeth Graham, station manager at Birmingham New Street, said: “Black Friday, the Christmas market and other festive attractions are great for Birmingham, but it means busier trains and more people on platforms and the station concourse.

“Every year we carefully plan for and safely manage big increases in passenger numbers, but I’d please ask passengers to do their bit by following our three golden rules to make their journeys as smooth as possible. There will be extra staff in place across the station to provide advice and information and help keep passengers safe throughout.”

As with previous years, queuing systems may be used at exceptionally busy times to safely allow people to board their trains home. With Christmas fast approaching, people are also being urged to think ahead and plan their journeys between 24 December and 2 January.

While the majority of the rail network will be open, Network Rail will be carrying out improvement work across Britain between Christmas and New Year which may affect journeys. Passengers can plan their Christmas travel at www.nationalrail.co.uk/christmas; for specific Birmingham New Street station information follow @NetworkRailBHM on X or check with your train operator.

* On Friday 24 November 2023, 213,050 passengers passed through Birmingham New Street station. An average Friday usually sees the station handle 170,000 passengers.