Greater Anglia new trains enter service

The first of Greater Anglia's brand-new trains has entered passenger service, signalling the start of a new era of rail travel in East Anglia.

One of the train company's new bi-mode trains set off for its maiden passenger voyage as the 07.47 service from Lowestoft to Norwich.

A formal launch for the introduction of the new trains is due to take place later in the summer.

Greater Anglia is getting 38 regional bi-mode trains (24 x 4-carriage trains and 14 x 3-carriage trains) which switch between electricity and diesel power

In the early stages of the rollout, a small number of services between Norwich and Great Yarmouth and Norwich and Lowestoft will be operated by new trains, followed by some services between Norwich and Cambridge.

Trains will be maintained at Norwich Crown Point depot, which is benefitting from a £40 million upgrade.

What did the officials say?

Jamie Burles, Greater Anglia managing director, said:

“This is an important and significant day for us today – and one we have all been looking forward to. Our first new train has now entered passenger service and it's the start of a new era.

“We were committed to beginning our transformation in Summer 2019 and we've done just that.

“This is an incredibly exciting time for everyone involved with East Anglia's railways – customers, communities and all the team here at Greater Anglia.

“Our new trains will transform rail travel across the region, bring wider economic, social, business, tourism and environmental benefits. It is the largest wholescale replacement of trains by any train company in the UK.”

Thomas Ahlburg, group chief executive of Stadler, said:

“The roll-out of the new trains into passenger service is a momentous occasion not just for our business, but for passengers and local communities alike.

“The contract, signed less than three years ago, was our first for mainline rolling stock in the UK. It signified our entry into this this important market and blazed a trail for orders secured subsequently for the Liverpool City Region and Wales & Borders.

“The new trains for Greater Anglia are FLIRTs, our best-selling product which we have sold 1,700 of in 17 countries. Like all the trains we build, the FLIRT relies on state-of-the-art technology to ensure safety, reliability and comfort for the benefit of passengers. We hope that the travelling public in East Anglia will like them.”

Mark Swindell, chief executive officer Rock Rail, said:

“Rock Rail is delighted to see the second of its fleets enter passenger service and mark the start of a step change in the travel experiences for rail passengers across Greater Anglia. It follows the introduction of Rock Rail's first fleet on Great Northern routes earlier this year.

“These new, state-of- the art trains for Greater Anglia are some of the first to enter service in the UK financed through pension funds and insurance companies. This long term, highly competitive funding enables significantly better value for money to rail passengers and tax payers over the life of the trains, along with significant improvements in passenger, environmental and operational features.”

Secretary of State for Transport Grant Shapps, said:

“This is an exciting time for passengers on Greater Anglia, with the arrival of modern, spacious and accessible new trains helping to transform journeys and boost business and tourism.

“As we invest a record £48bn to modernise our rail network, we are seeing the introduction of thousands of new trains right across the country, enabling faster, greener journeys that benefit local communities and the environment.”

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