05.09.14
Replacing poor quality rolling stock
Source: Peter Gordon
One of the reasons why the south east got the new trains was that they replaced slam door stock, which was considered to be unsafe. A lot of trains in the south east also have cramped seating. Could you refurbish them with air conditioning etc? Maybe reduce the seat pitch. Given the relative level of overcrowding in the south east and much lower level of subsidy (and higher fares) per passenger, you can understand why most of the investment goes down south. My solution would be new trains, and to use the Pacers during the peak only.
It’s also a question of cascading trains as more lines are electrified. There is a fleet of 165 about to be displaced by Crossrail. I don't know if their 23m length is a problem, but they could go up north.
Where London (though maybe not the rest of the south east) leads is with buses. London has a newish fleet of low-floor buses, comprehensive services, and fares have decreased in real terms. If I were a northern mayor I would be pressing for something to be done to improve bus services up north.
P.S. Aren't the terms ‘north’ and ‘south’ a bit over-generalised? I've just come back from Scotland (further north?) and they seem to have smart trains.
Re: Pacer trains in North may be ‘modernised’ rather than replaced – DfT