[T]ransPennine Express (TPE) has shared an exclusive image of the first carriage from the second fleet of its brand new trains.
The ultramodern trains will operate on routes across the North West and into Scotland from spring 2019.
The new fleet forms part of TPE’s overall £500million investment programme which will deliver more services, seats and an enhanced experience for customers.
Customers will benefit from a transformed on-board experience which includes comfortable seating, plugs and USB points, more luggage space, fast free Wi-Fi and an entertainment system enabling the latest films, news and boxsets to be downloaded straight to phones and devices.
Each train will also feature display screens that provide real time reservations and new catering facilities tasty hot food and cold drinks to be served on-board.
The 12 five carriage trains are being introduced along with two other fleets and together these will deliver 13 million more seats per year for customers giving an 80 per cent increase into the North’s five largest cities at the busiest times of day.
Currently the company’s existing trains are being treated to a full upgrade ensuring they are of the same high standard.
The new trains are being manufactured by Construcciones y Auxiliar de Ferrocarriles (CAF) in Spain and owned by Eversholt Rail. They will be maintained by at Alstom’s facilities at Longsight (Manchester) and Polmadie (Glasgow).
Leo Goodwin, Managing Director for TransPennine Express said: “This is an exciting step towards providing brand new, state-of-the-art trains plus more seats for rail customers across the North and into Scotland.
“Once ready, these futuristic trains will be some of the most modern in the country and I’m thrilled to be overseeing such an important transformation.”
Mary Kenny, Chief Executive Officer at Eversholt Rail said: “We are proud to be part of TPE’s mission to bring ultra-modern trains into operation between North West England and Scotland. Our new generation high-speed EMU’s under construction by CAF in Spain will help turn TPE’s ‘Take the North Further’ vision into reality.”
José María Muguruza, Project Manager for CAF stated that: “CAF are delighted to be working with TPE to enhance their customers’ experience and the opportunity to provide technologically advanced trains for their intercity-TPE services. The trains are the ‘high speed’ variant of the Civity electric train, are capable of 125mph operation and will provide passengers with a new journey experience. Providing free Wi-Fi, USB ports, improved information systems and the ability to stream media. CAF are continuing to strengthen their presence across the UK Market; and look forward to continued growth with the building of their Newport Assembly plant.”
