02.02.15
Abellio’s first refurbished Mark 3 coach enters service
Abellio Greater Anglia has unveiled the first of its upgraded Mark 3 coaches as part of its £12m refurbishment programme.
The upgraded coach formed part of the 09.30 Norwich to London Liverpool Street service, and is the first of 119 carriages that Abellio will refurbish by the end of its short franchise, which ends in October 2016.
The work, which is being carried out Vossloh Kiepe at a specially prepared facility at Norwich Crown Point, included installing plug points in both first class and standard carriages, new LED lighting, new carpets, new tables, new seat covers, and upgraded environmentally-friendly controlled emission toilets.
Jamie Burles, managing director of Abellio Greater Anglia, said: “This milestone marks a significant step forward in our commitment to raise service standards on the Great Eastern Main Line, as from today rail passengers will be able to travel on the first of our upgraded carriages, and see the real benefits the refurbishment programme will deliver for the travelling environment on our key intercity services between Norwich, Ipswich, Colchester and London.
“We are passionate about providing customers and communities across our network with higher quality services and this project is a major part of a wider investment of over £31.5m in customer-focused improvements between now and the end of our franchise in October 2016.”
The first full set of refurbished carriages is due to enter service in the spring.
RTM recently discussed the refurbishment of the Mark 3 fleet with Jonathan Denby, head of corporate affairs at Abellio Greater Anglia, who said: “With it being eight years now since the completion of the last refresh for the trains, now is a key opportunity to give them a refurbishment.”
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