Reminder: Stock + Service Changes, Abellio East Anglia.
IN SUMMARY:
- Free Wi-Fi on Many Trains and also an improved WiFi service at stations.
- Additional seats on trains across the network, by increasing train lengths and capacity.
- CET toilets, so waste isn't flushed onto tracks. This is already on MK3s.
- Increasing train punctuality and performance.
- Entire fleet replacement (stated below), so other units are displaced or withdrawn.
- Norwich to Cambridge trains extended to Stansted, and Sudbury branch lines running to Colchester.
- Lowestoft connections to London Liverpool Street reinstated, using the electro-diesel units, four times per day.
- Trains half hourly to Great Yarmouth, plus later connections to Sheringham and Lowestoft.
And free Wi-Fi to be installed to many more stations and Intercity Stock by October 2016. Not forgetting the new maintenance plant for trains at Manningtree from approximately 2020 in the new franchise.
- Entire fleet replacement (stated below), so other units are displaced or withdrawn.
- Norwich to Cambridge trains extended to Stansted, and Sudbury branch lines running to Colchester.
- Lowestoft connections to London Liverpool Street reinstated, using the electro-diesel units, four times per day.
- Trains half hourly to Great Yarmouth, plus later connections to Sheringham and Lowestoft.
And free Wi-Fi to be installed to many more stations and Intercity Stock by October 2016. Not forgetting the new maintenance plant for trains at Manningtree from approximately 2020 in the new franchise.
A £1 billion contract for new Bombardier Electric Aventra (similar to the CrossRail series) trains, that's 660 carriages built (10 car and 8-car) in Derby by 2020 for the GEML and West Anglia to replace 321s and 317s respectively. TO BE FINANCED BY COMMONWEALTH BANK OF AUSTRALIA AND LEASING COMPANY ANGEL TRAINS.
In addition to this, Stadler will also build a fleet of 348 class trains for the network. This comprises of 240 carriages to form electric 12-car units, along with 138 carriages to make up 3-car and 4-car bi-mode trains (can power up to OHLE where available, with diesel operation on other lines). LEASING COMPANY UNKNOWN AT TIME OF PUBLICATION OF THIS POST.
This also means Norwich In 90! Ninety minute journeys between Norwich and Liverpool Street London on Weekdays, with two services each direction to Ipswich within 60 minutes. This is as the new trains can accelerate much quicker, don't need to have doors closed manually for dispatch, and journey paths will be adapted too as currently the IC trains stop at many locations en-route. The intercity trains, as seen below, will either have trolley catering or a buffet car, as announced by Ipswich Star, though full specifications aren't yet devised! Good to see light refreshments and alcohol beverages continue.
UPDATE: Future of one rake of MK3s is in the hands of A1 group.
This also means Norwich In 90! Ninety minute journeys between Norwich and Liverpool Street London on Weekdays, with two services each direction to Ipswich within 60 minutes. This is as the new trains can accelerate much quicker, don't need to have doors closed manually for dispatch, and journey paths will be adapted too as currently the IC trains stop at many locations en-route. The intercity trains, as seen below, will either have trolley catering or a buffet car, as announced by Ipswich Star, though full specifications aren't yet devised! Good to see light refreshments and alcohol beverages continue.
UPDATE: Future of one rake of MK3s is in the hands of A1 group.
