The first of 270 trains in Govia Thameslink Railway’s (GTR) £55m fleet modernisation programme has entered service with new features designed to improve passengers’ journeys.
The trains form the UK’s biggest fleet of Electrostars, the most common type of electric-powered train built since rail privatisation in the 1990s. GTR’s Electrostars have been in service for up to 20 years.
GTR overhaul manager Peter Hewitt (right) and his team with an updated Electrostar at Selhurst Depot
The first updated train rolled out of the firm’s Selhurst Depot in south London last week.
GTR said enhancements include new information screens, which will display current GTR and London Underground service information
New passenger-counting sensors will help GTR better analyse how busy services are, 'helping to adjust timetables to support essential travel and social distancing'. The technology could also result in cuts to less busy services.
Other improvements include USB/power points and energy-saving LED lighting.
GTR said on-board operational systems would allow engineers to streamline routine maintenance and repairs, cutting the time trains spend out of service for maintenance or repair and reducing delays and cancellations. It said the improvements will also keep each Electrostar in service for longer
Engineering director Steve Lammin said: ‘These Electrostars are great trains. Taking on board our passengers’ feedback, this comprehensive upgrade will provide an even better on-board experience and more reliability.
‘Our team at Selhurst Depot has used this first train to develop and learn all the complex processes involved in fitting the new features, guided by the trains’ manufacturer, Bombardier. We’re now testing our new knowledge on the second train, and as we gradually speed up the work, more and more passengers will notice the benefits over the coming years.’
The £55m programme is funded by leasing company Porterbrook, which owns the trains.
CEO Mary Grant, said: ‘We are committed to supporting GTR in meeting the expectations of today’s customers. Porterbrook will be investing a total of £100m in upgrading our entire Electrostar fleet, operated by GTR, over the coming years.
‘This initial £55m investment will deliver significantly enhanced passenger facilities, as well as improve train reliability through the use of data analytics. I am also delighted that GTR’s own highly skilled Selhurst Depot team will be delivering this upgrade programme on our behalf.’
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