The last line on the Merseyrail system saw its first Class 777 trains enter public service today.
Liverpool City Region‘s new publicly-owned trains began running on Northern Line services from Hunts Cross in South Liverpool to Southport.
This is the final stage of the phased roll-out across the system and more trains are expected to be introduced through the week, with the total number of new trains in service growing over the next few months.
The Southport to Hunts Cross line is the last section of the Merseyrail network to see the new trains.
Passengers on the other branches of the Northern Line – from Liverpool Central to Ormskirk and to Headbolt Line via Kirby – have become used to the new trains in recent months. Wirral Line services from Liverpool Central to West Kirby, New Brighton, Chester and Ellesmere Port have also seen the Class 777 trains in service.
In addition, the new £80m station at Headbolt Lane extended the Kirkby branch to its new terminus which is served by pioneering battery-powered trains. The third rail is only installed as far as Kirkby. This project is just one of those being delivered as part of Merseyrail For All, a commitment made by Mayor of Liverpool City Region Steve Rotherham to expand the regional rail network by connecting to new and previously under-served communities.
Steve Rotheram, Liverpool City Region Mayor, said: “I know passengers up and down the Southport to Hunts Cross line have been patiently waiting for the rollout of our new publicly-owned trains, and from this week they will be ready to welcome them onboard!
“We've invested half a billion pounds in our new fleet, which are packed with great new features like sliding step technology, free phone charging and Wi-Fi and more room for bikes and wheelchairs, enabling more people to travel around our region.
“Designed in consultation with local people, our new trains are some of the most accessible and sophisticated in the entire country. This investment shows the difference devolution makes. We're charting our own course, putting the public back into public transport and delivering the services that our 1.6 million residents deserve.”
Cllr Liam Robinson, Leader of Liverpool City Council and Transport Portfolio Holder for the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority, added: “I'm delighted that the new trains for the Liverpool City Region will start running on the Hunts Cross to Southport stretch of the Northern Line from today. Their state-of-the-art features and innovative design will help to revolutionise how people travel, providing a comfortable and convenient journey for all passengers.
“I am confident that their positive impact will be be felt throughout our community, delivering better connectivity and improving the daily lives of our residents. Together, we are creating a transport system that is advanced, sustainable and accessible and I look forward to seeing the benefits that these new trains will bring to Liverpool and the wider city region.”
Cllr Ian Maher, Leader of Sefton Council, said: “It's fantastic news that the new trains will begin operating on the Southport-Hunts Cross line from this week. This represents a real step forward in improving our transport network and will hugely enhance the travel experience for those living and working in Sefton – as well as those visiting our region.
“With their step-free access for all passengers, the new trains will help more people use our rail network independently and with confidence – whether they're travelling with bikes or buggies, or are wheelchair users or those with reduced mobility. It reflects our ambition to build an inclusive and accessible transport system that works for everyone.”
It must be a new ghost train. The new trains don’t exist on the southport line. The 507/508’s will be celebrating 100 years in service before the new ones are on this line.
When will the west kirby line have more than the one which is use at present
Great question Graham. My thoughts exactly. Journeys from Southport to Liverpool South Parkway or Hunts Cross take over an hour, as do journeys from Lime Street to Chester. The council’s attitude seems to be that if you need to go you should get off at a station with a toilet (who knows exactly which stations have toilets?) then catch the next train. Is that really catering for everybody? Many older men in particular have bladder urgency and some have bowel urgency.
Why no toilets on the new trains?
So pretty much most of Merseyrail’s Class 777s are now operating on the Wirral Line and Northern Line. With some being modified with batteries to operate to Headbolt Lane.
Need to give access to the modern trains bye giving access to the platforms at places like Port Sunlight Green lane extra where the is straps only
Hi Karl, There should not be any smokers anywhere on the system as this is against the Law.
Don’t believe all you read. I used the Hunts cross to Southport line yesterday. Only OLD 3 car trains operating. Both ways it was crowded and like being in a sardine can.
The Southport line runs past the end of our road and so far, including today, i’ve not seen a single class 777 running on the line.
I thought that they were replacing all the old trains not just one odd one here and there????????????
I travel on the west Kirby line 5 days a week and I’ve been on one in about 2/3 months. They’re cancelled all the time due to train faults.
I don’t call ONE new train a DAY a new train service for Southport .
Merseyrail continue to turn a blind eye to the tube smokers, so be prepared for the whole train to stink, as you won’t now be able to go to a separate carriage to get away from it.
Not running on New Brighton line at all!!! Another Merseyfail and Rotherham lie, clearly just an excuse to put up fares in January and boost the coffers of the managers ……