Press release -
Passengers benefit as cashless Japanese vending machines debut in West Midlands
Passengers using one of Birmingham’s busiest stations can now benefit from the latest in Japanese technology with the arrival of new cashless vending machines.
The state-of-the-art machines, unveiled at Snow Hill station today, include screens displaying real-time train information for passengers as well as informative maps of the local area and rail routes.
The modern machines allow users to pay for their purchases with credit or debit cards rather than scrambling for change – and a unique QR Code scanner will enable any promotional discounts to be applied.
The machines are customisable for wheelchair users, allowing the user to switch the display to a lower level.
David Whitley, head of customer experience strategy for West Midlands Railway, said:
“We are always looking for ways to improve the experience for our passengers across our network. These machines will give our customers at Snow Hill the chance to access the very latest technology when using the station.
“By offering real-time train information these new machines will assist passengers in keeping their journey plans up-to-date as well as offering a convenient, cash-free selection of food and drink.”
Susumu Nagawa, director of lifestyle business at East Japan Railway Company London Office, said:
"These innovative vending machines will provide a new station experience to West Midlands Railway passengers by offering a unique mix of drinks and snacks including some Japanese favourites such as a Aomori apple juice."
The new vending machines at Snow Hill are the brainchild of JRE Water Business, a subsidiary of passenger railway provider East Japan Railway Company, which is a shareholder in West Midlands Trains.
The machines are already in use at a number of railway stations in Japan and are being introduced at Snow Hill as part of a 12-month trial scheme.
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About West Midlands Trains
For further information on this release, call our press office on 03300 955150 or email press.office@wmtrains.co.uk
West Midlands Trains operates both West Midlands Railway and London Northwestern Railway services.
- London Northwestern Railway services operate between Liverpool and Birmingham, and on the West Coast mainline to and from London Euston.
- West Midlands Railway services operate to destinations across the West Midlands via Birmingham New Street.
For more information on these services visit westmidlandsrailway.co.uk or londonnorthwesternrailway.co.uk
The West Midlands Trains franchise started on 10 December 2017 and will run until 2025/26.
West Midlands Trains operates 1,300 services a day, manages 150 stations and provides over 70 million passenger journeys a year. Over the course of the franchise, West Midlands Trains will be investing £1 billion into the rail network to deliver new trains, improved routes and station upgrades. This will include 400 new train carriages across the network and space for an extra 85,000 passengers into Birmingham and London at peak times.
The franchise is a joint venture between Abellio (70.1% share) and East Japan Railway Company / Mitsui & Co., Ltd (29.9% share in a 50:50 split). Abellio is the international passenger transport subsidiary of the Dutch national railway company, Nederlandse Spoorwegen. In the UK, Abelllio operates ScotRail and Greater Anglia train services, Merseyrail services in a joint venture with Serco and buses through Abellio London. For more information visit www.abellio.com
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