Winter Services

Take the hassle of driving and parking away with West Midlands Bus! With a network operating across the region, multiple city centre services, and day tickets from £5.20, let us take care of the journey so you're free to enjoy the festive season.

We also offer lots of discounts and passes, including free tickets for children under 5. Please use our ticket finder to explore your options.

Please check below for timetable changes over the festive period. This information may be subject to change, so please use our Journey Planner for the latest travel information. 

Travelling by train over the festive period avoids the traffic jams and could reduce your journey time, giving you more time to enjoy the season. 

Timetables may be subject to change during the festive period. Please check the West Midlands Railway website for updates, or for a summary of all seasonal timetables, please visit National Rail Christmas and New Year 2025/26.

We have a range of train stations and routes across the region. Find your nearest station and check facilities using our interactive rail map.

You can use our Ticket Finder to find the best train ticket for you, or buy tickets at the station or through train operators. It's cheaper to travel after 6:30pm when returning the same evening, so you can make the most of the festivities at an off-peak price!

Car parking charges at the train station may vary depending on length of stay and time of day at Birmingham International, Bromsgrove, Coventry, Longbridge, Solihull and Sutton Coldfield.

Please use our Journey Planner for the latest travel information. 

Our tram network stretching from Birmingham to Wolverhampton is a great option to skip the traffic jams during the winter.

There are trams every 12 to 15 minutes every day of the week. More trams are added during peak times.

During the festive period, a normal service will operate other than:  

• Thursday 25 December: No service 
• Friday 26 December: Sunday service  
• Thursday 1 January: Sunday service 

This information may be subject to change. Please use our Journey Planner for the latest travel information and to plan your route.

You can buy tickets:

• Using our Ticket Finder
• From the conductor on the tram
• On the My Metro app
• With a Swift Pay as You Go card

Tram stops are in four ticket zones. The zones you can travel between are based on your ticket. You can check your ticket zone here.

All tram stops have step-free access and are monitored by CCTV. Some tram stops have  free car parking, cycle storage, and connections to local bus services. 

For more information, please visit the West Midlands Metro website.

To avoid traffic when heading into the city centre during winter, park and ride can be a great option with links to both tram and train across the network. With over 9,500 car parking spaces, as well as Cycle Hubs for bikes, we've got it covered.

You can find free parking at the following stops along the West Midlands Metro line:

• The Hawthorns
• Wednesbury Parkway
• Black Lake
• Bradley Lane
• Priestfield

Parking at most train stations is free. You only have to pay at Birmingham International, Coventry, Bromsgrove, Longbridge, Solihull and Sutton Coldfield. You can also pre-book parking at some stations using Save-a-Space. 

For more information, please visit our park and ride webpage. 

Ring & Ride is a door-to-door transport service for anyone living in the West Midlands and finds it difficult or impossible to use public transport.

Please note, from 1 December 2025, Ring & Ride will become part of West Midlands Bus on Demand.

Customers can use the service for the same purpose they would on public transport. This could include commuting to and from work, shopping, leisure activities, certain healthcare appointments, or visiting friends or someone in hospital.

The service usually operates:

• Monday to Saturday, 8am to 10pm
• Sunday, 8am to 3:30pm

You can book a trip up to seven days in advance. All trips must be booked at least one day prior to travel. Fares start from as little as £2 for an adult single.

During the festive period, a normal service will operate other than:  

• Wednesday 24 December: Service finishes at 6pm
• Thursday 25 December: No service
• Friday 26 December: No service
• Wednesday 31 December: Service finishes at 6pm
• Thursday 1 January: No service

Please visit the Ring & Ride website for more information.