24.07.17
Five more Class 319 bi-modes expected in Wales next year
The Welsh government has this week announced that it will add five extra four-carriage trains to boost rolling stock provision and capacity in the country.
The Class 319 flex bi-mode trains have been funded with £1.9m investment from the Welsh government, supported by £1m of extra funding from Arriva Trains Wales. It will be added to existing rolling stock fleets in 2018.
The new trains mean capacity will be doubled on some of the busiest routes into Cardiff, with an additional 600 seats per day and 1,500 extra seats for the whole of Wales.
It will also allow Person of Reduced Mobility compliance work to be made to the current Class 150 and 158 stock, and will give opportunities to the new franchisee to deliver improvements in the upcoming Wales and Borders rail services contract.
“I’ve made no secret of the difficulty in adding good quality rolling stock in Wales and am delighted that, by working with Arriva Trains Wales and others, we’ve been able to secure these extra trains,” said economy and infrastructure secretary Ken Skates.
“The agreement to secure these trains is one part of a number of agreements with rail industry bodies that ensure that the majority of the current Wales and Borders fleet will comply with Persons of Restricted Mobility regulations by 1 January 2020. The extra trains will be available for the new franchisee to use until at least 2021.
“I’ve been absolutely clear that the next franchise, the Welsh government’s first, must have the passenger at its heart. I’m delighted that we’ve been able to secure these trains and hope to see them play a part in boosting Wales’ rail service for years to come.”
And Simon Hughes, fleet director for Arriva Trains Wales added: “These additional trains will be a massive boost for our customers who have been calling for extra capacity for a long time. We are delighted to be investing alongside the Welsh government to secure this additional rolling stock within our current franchise period.
“We are proud and excited to welcome these trains into our fleet. The fact they will be more accessible, and delivered alongside improvements to some of our current fleet, means we can make the railway in Wales an increasingly viable means of transport for all.”
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