Chiltern introduces new trains to popular Mainline service
UPGRADED carriages introduced as part of a series of improvements by Chiltern Railways to its Mainline service between Birmingham and London have begun operations.
The new-style silver trains feature an array of improvements which have been introduced following customer feedback. The measures are part of an improvement that will see all the new silver trains refurbished and extended.
In an attempt to lure new business passengers, each train still has free Wi-Fi, a larger working environment, plug points and large tables, but now has the added advantage of power doors, improved lighting, controlled emission toilets and bigger vestibule areas.
Three further trains will arrive during 2012 and the company is already planning ahead looking at further opportunities for future growth.
Malcolm Holmes, General Manager Mainline at Chiltern Railways, said: “Since the launch of Mainline we have seen phenomenal growth of over 40% from the West Midlands.
“By the end of the year we will lengthen each silver train by a carriage providing an additional 70 more seats per train. We are also in the process of upgrading our free Wi-Fi to give our customers faster connections.
“In addition, we are also expanding our car parks to accommodate the growth in passenger numbers. Our car park at Solihull has just opened and brings an additional 163 spaced and later on in the year, we will install a deck at Warwick Parkway, which will deliver an additional 222 spaces.”
