East Midlands Railway and Transport UK launched their inaugural Aurora train yesterday.
The first of their £400 million fleet departed Sheffield yesterday at 7 am with its very first customers heading towards London.
The fleet includes 33 bi-mode trains, which will help reduce carbon emissions by 66 per cent, utilising the Midland Main Line upgrades.
The fleet provides more seats and more comfortable journeys, and when the whole fleet is in service, there will be a 46% increase in total seats.
It has numerous features added to improve the passenger experience, including extra legroom, an enhanced Wi-Fi system, charging points, extra storage space, and seatback tables.
“Today is truly a landmark moment for rail travel across the East Midlands and South Yorkshire.
“At 7am, the very first train in Transport UK and EMR’s brand-new £400 million Aurora fleet departed Sheffield for London St Pancras – marking the start of a new era for Intercity travel on our network.
“With more seats, legroom and luggage space, as well as enhanced Wi-Fi, passenger information and the ability to run on electric, these new trains will transform the service we can provide.”
Will Rogers, Managing Director for East Midlands Railway
Responses
As the Class 810 have now entered service. East Midlands Railway could perhaps allow them to run to Leeds giving that they are Bi-mode trains.