First Hull Trains has announced a consultation to invest £68 million pound to ensure that the Hull & Humber region continues to benefit from high-speed connectivity to the capital, despite delays to rail electrification across the country.
The government announced the suspension of various electrification projects earlier this summer. Despite this, Hull Trains has continued to work with Network Rail and the ORR to secure a high-speed, efficient and first-rate service from the region to the capital. This means that passengers will not be disadvantaged by electrification delays in comparison to other areas that already benefit from a fully electrified railway.
Hull Trains officially announced Sept. 4 that it has plans to invest £68 million in a fleet of Bi-Mode trains, which are capable of both electric, and diesel operation. The firm has also commenced an industry consultation process to secure track access for at least another 10 years.
If these plans are successful, then the units are expected to enter service in 2020 and will bring multiple economic, social and environmental benefits.
Speed of the units will reach up to 140mph compared to the current 125mph capacity of Hull Trains’ Class 180 units. The company’s fleet will also increase to five units with up to 320 seats on each, meaning a 50% increase in the number of sears for passengers.
The announcement comes at a time when Hull Trains is experiencing record growth in passenger journeys of 24 percent in its last reporting period, compared with an industry average of 9.7 percent.
Will Dunnett, managing director of Hull Trains says, “If we are successful in our plans, then these new units will bring an even higher quality environment for passengers with new interiors, enhanced catering, air-conditioning and a quieter environment due to electric traction – all areas that we know are important to passengers.”
Ensuring that the region is not disadvantaged in any way by delays to electrification plans is at the heart of these proposals. Dunnett says, “In a nutshell, the Bi-Mode units deliver the benefits of electrification now. But as a result of their bi-mode capability, they also ensure that we can continue to serve stations such as Beverley after electrification of the Hull to Selby track is completed.
“The dual-function of the units also means that we can keep passengers on trains during times of disruption to the East Coast Mainline, which we would not be able to do in fully-electric units.
“Crucially, our plans will generate additional permanent job creation for the region as well as growth in the local economy through improved connectivity and journey times and ensuring that East Yorkshire and Humberside continues to benefit from a high-speed, first-class rail service.”
