West Midlands launches new £700m train fleet
The first train in West Midlands new fleet has made its inaugural journey marking a significant milestone in a £700m investment in the region’s rail network.
A special “preview” event was held at Wolverhampton Station on Friday 14 October ahead of the Class 196 fleet’s full launch, with WMT managing director Ian McConnell hosting guests including
Abellio managing director Dominic Booth and West Midlands mayor Andy Street as well as passenger groups.
Mr Booth said: “The new Class 196 trains will provide more capacity at a time of steadily increasing passenger numbers as the rail industry continues to recover from the pandemic. We look forward to these trains providing an improved journey experience to customers in the Midlands”.
Mr McConnell said: “These new trains will provide a much-improved travelling experience for our customers with smart air conditioning and power points at every seat. We have had a wait a little while to introduce these trains due to the pandemic but I am delighted our customers will soon be able to experience the trains for themselves.
Mr Street said: “This will give an improved experience for the customer and will give them confidence to travel on public transport instead of using their cars and there is also extra seating which will really help passengers.”
A total of 26 trains are being introduced across the region as part of WMT’s £700m investment in the railway network. The first trains in the fleet will enter service on the Shrewsbury Line in coming weeks, serving destinations including Birmingham, Wolverhampton and Telford.
The diesel fleet, consisting of 80 carriages in total, has been constructed by manufacturer CAF at its factories in South Wales and Spain. It is the first new train fleet to be introduced to the West Midlands franchise in more than a decade.
The fleet will also serve the Hereford Line, connecting Birmingham with destinations including Bromsgrove, Droitwich and Worcester.