TransPennine Express is celebrating the 3rd anniversary of the introduction of its Nova fleet of trains.
The ultra-modern trains have been carrying passengers across the North of England and into Scotland, providing more seats to more locations than before.
Nova trains have travelling for more than 12 million miles since being introduced, the equivalent of going to the moon and back 25 times.
The 44-strong fleet, consisting of Nova 1, 2 and 3 trains, were buit by Hitachi Rail and CAF, with Nova 3 trains being hauled by a DRS Class 68 locomotive.
Nova 1 trains have topped the table for reliability across the UK twice this year, with an average of 182,278 miles between technical incident.
Matthew Golton, Managing Director for TransPennine Express said: “We are pleased to be celebrating three years since all three of our Nova fleets first entered passenger service.
“These superb trains, which are some of the most modern in the UK, have totally transformed the travelling experience and made a real difference for those that use them and remain very popular with customers across our network.
“Introduced just a few months before the Covid-19 pandemic began, these trains also played an important part in transporting those making essential journeys, including key workers, across the North and into Scotland.”
CAF UK Director Richard Garner said: “The Nova 2 and 3 trains have been a huge success. These high-quality, high-performing trains are making a real difference to customers journeys. We are really pleased with the customer feedback, remarking not only on the stylish appearance, but also the spacious interior and the enhanced comfort.”
Jim Brewin, Head of UK & Ireland for Hitachi Rail, said: “For four weeks during this Summer, the Nova 1 fleet travelled the equivalent of 7 times around the world without a single technical incident. This is another Hitachi intercity fleet setting records in reliability.
“Proud of our collaboration with TransPennine Express and the effort we put in to make sure the Nova 1 fleet goes from strength to strength.”
Paul Sutherland, Client Relations Director, Eversholt Rail said, “We would like to congratulate TransPennine Express on three years' successful running of their Nova fleet, including our Nova 2 Class 397 fleet which has provided a step change to the customer experience on services between the North West of England and Scotland.”
I hope that they have more comfortable seats than the IETs.
Are they ever going to introduce all the Nova 3 trains I wonder, more than 3 years on?
The Class 802 AT300 Nova 1, Class 397 Civity Nova 2 and Class 68+Mk5A Nova 3 are the best trains on Transpennine Express. As well the Siemens Class 185 Desiro.
You’ve just listed all the trains that they operate!