Hull Trains Invest £68m In New High-Speed Rail Fleet
The trains will mean faster journey times for passengers.
First Hull Trains have announced they're spending £68m on a fleet of new faster trains which will lead to 50% more seats for passengers.
The trains will start running in 2020 and are needed after the firm carried a quarter more passengers - better than any other train company in the country.
Will Dunnett, Managing Director of Hull Trains says:
“The new units will bring an even higher quality environment for passengers with new interiors, enhanced catering, air-conditioning and a quieter environment due to electric traction – all areas that we know are important to passengers.”
Ensuring that the region is not disadvantaged in any way by delays to electrification plans is at the heart of these proposals. Mr Dunnett says:
“In a nutshell, the Bi-Mode units deliver the benefits of electrification now. But as a result of their bi-mode capability, they also ensure that we can continue to serve stations such as Beverley after electrification of the Hull to Selby track is completed.
- “The dual-function of the units also means that we can keep passengers on trains during disruption, which we would not be able to do in fully-electric units.*
- “Crucially, our plans will generate additional permanent job creation for the region as well as growth in the local economy through improved connectivity and journey times and ensuring that East Yorkshire and Humberside continues to benefit from a high-speed, first-class rail service.”*
The news has been welcomed by Hull North MP Diana Johnson. She told Viking FM:
"It's excellent news that Hull Trains is upgrading and improving the quality of their rolling stock. Good transport provision is an important part of Hull's continuing regeneration and local MPs have been making the case for this for years.
"Given the Government's recent delay - announced after the General Election - to rail electrification in the North, Hull Trains are wise to invest in trains that can also run without electrification and it's a shame that unhelpful delays in Whitehall mean that this new rolling will not be seen until 2020.
"As far as Hull is concerned, it seems that Hull Trains is making more of an investment in the 'Northern Powerhouse' than the current Government."