07.10.14
Grand Central adding five more Class 180s to its fleet
Open access operator Grand Central Rail has announced a £7.8m fleet upgrade and station refurbishment plan, including the addition of five more Class 180s to its fleet.
The investment follows the extension of its operating licence in August, giving the company track access and ORR permission to run trains between London, the north east and Yorkshire until 2026.
In addition to upgrades to its fleet of trains the £7.8m also includes money for investing in passenger facilities at stations.
Richard McClean, managing director of Grand Central Rail, said: “We’ve listened to our passengers and the investments we’re making will improve the reliability of services as well as the comfort and reliability of our on-board facilities. We’re starting our investments early to get a headstart on improvements for passengers, with a refurbishment to our current fleet due to begin in early 2015. Our entire fleet will be brought up to a new high standard, with leather seats in first class and improvements across the standard class carriages, toilets and vestibules.
“We’ll also switch to using LED lighting on board which, as well as being better for the environment, will improve the reliability of power sockets for charging mobile phones and laptops. Our on-board wi-fi will also remain free for all passengers in both standard and first class and we’re already making improvements to the usability and speed of the wi-fi connection.”
Grand Central has also ordered a further five Class 180s from Angel Trains, to add to the five it already uses, which will be put into operation from 2017.
It has previously announced plans for an all Class 180 fleet, phasing out its fleet of HSTs.
Following a refurbishment of the fleet, Grand Central will work with Network Rail to increase the number of seats available on its busiest services.
McClean also said that the company wants to build on previous station investments, such as the rejuvenation of Wakefield Kirkgate station and capacity increase at Northallerton station car park.
“We’ll invest to increase car parking capacity and passenger facilities, as well as working with public transport providers to improve the journeys to and from stations where we can, making it easier for passengers to get to and from the train. The communities along our routes are at the heart of our business and we have therefore ensured that our investment goes beyond our fleet and right out into those communities for the benefit of local passengers,” he added.
(Image: c. Alvey & Towers)
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