Press release -
Thameslink passengers catch glimpse of high-tech commuting future as new Siemens-built train arrives
The UK is now home to the first brand new Siemens-built Class 700 Desiro City train, which is set to transform passenger experience on the Thameslink rail routes when it rolls into action next year.
Designed to provide much-needed extra capacity on the South-East’s busy commuter routes, the train arrived at the newly constructed Three Bridges traincare facility near Crawley, West Sussex in the early hours of 31 July 2015.
Train manufacturer Siemens and operator Govia Thameslink Railway (GTR) will now be undertaking an exhaustive testing programme. Passenger services will begin in spring 2016 on the Thameslink network between Bedford and Brighton and later on routes to and from Cambridge and Peterborough, as well as to other destinations in Kent and Sussex.
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The trains feature intelligent air conditioning, wide doors and open through-carriages which contribute to a more accessible and comfortable passenger experience. They will also bring the following benefits to commuters in 2018 in the morning three-hour peak:
- Over double the number of carriages, providing 80% more peak seats across central London (between Blackfriars and St Pancras)
- 60% increase in carriages and over 50% more seats from St Albans to London
- Additional trains from Gatwick Airport with over 50% more running across central London between Blackfriars and St Pancras, with four trains an hour continuing to Peterborough and Cambridge.
- 1,000 extra seats from Brighton
- 15% more seats from stations along the line from Peterborough and Cambridge
The delivery of this first train is part of the Government-sponsored Thameslink Programme of infrastructure improvements and new rolling stock that will transform north-south travel through London, reduce crowding, increase capacity and improve reliability on one of the busiest routes in the UK.
Thousands of jobs are being created as a result of the Thameslink Programme, including up to 2,000 across the UK supply chain in component manufacturing, assembly, construction of new depots and subsequent maintenance. A considerable number of components for the new train are being manufactured by suppliers throughout the UK, further emphasising the UK rail industry’s ability to compete on a global scale.
Rail Minister Claire Perry said:
“We are investing record amounts building a world-class railway that provides more capacity, more services and better journeys. The Class 700 trains will transform rail travel for customers and provide a massive jobs boost for Britain and a significant boost to our economy.
“The arrival of this first train is a huge step forward for the Government-sponsored Thameslink Programme, which is creating thousands of jobs across the country and is a vital part of our long-term economic plan. I am looking forward to these spacious new trains being introduced across London and the South East on schedule from Spring next year providing quicker, more reliable and more comfortable journeys for millions of customers.”
Commenting on the arrival of the first Class 700 train, Iain Smith, Programme Director of the Thameslink Rolling Stock Project at Siemens, said:
“The arrival of the first train into Three Bridges is a real milestone for Thameslink and is a hugely exciting moment for us at Siemens. It signifies major progress towards the transformation of the Thameslink services, a step change in the passenger experience and a real sense of the future. We will now be focused on testing and commissioning the train, while GTR trains drivers and maintenance staff to ensure that everything is ready for the start of service next year.”
In welcoming the new trains, GTR’s Programme Director Keith Wallace, added:
"The new Class 700 trains will bring many changes and benefits to our passengers - from more frequent services on longer trains, to greater capacity, easier access, better on-board information, and an altogether better train environment. We're looking forward to our passengers seeing them in service next spring."
Andy Pitt, Executive Chairman of train owners Cross London Trains (XLT), added:
“I am delighted to see the first Class 700 train arriving in the UK in what is another significant project milestone. The next few months will see a series of tests completed before the train takes its first outing in passenger service on the UK rail network – another step forward in ensuring the train is completely ready for passengers.”
-Ends-
Media contacts
Emma Whitaker
Email: emma.whitaker@siemens.com
Tel: 07921 246942
Tas Bhanji, MHP Communications
Email: Siemens@mhpc.com
Direct dial: 020 3128 8113
Mobile: 07551 170 451
Roger Perkins, Govia Thameslink Raiway
Email: press.office@gtrailway.com
Tel: 0345 4700 789
For further information, images and video footage please see: www.siemens.co.uk/thameslink
Follow us on Twitter at: www.twitter.com/siemensuknews
Editor’s notes
Capacity figures quoted are for the three hour morning peak, with arrivals into London from 07:00 to 09:59
The state-of-the-art trains have been designed specifically to meet the demands of a high frequency, high capacity service. Each train will be able to carry up to 1700 people and will be more reliable and energy efficient. The Class 700’s lightweight design will also mean less wear and tear on the tracks, saving money in maintaining the network over the long term.
About Siemens
Siemens AG (Berlin and Munich) is a global technology powerhouse that has stood for engineering excellence, innovation, quality, reliability and internationality for more than 165 years. The company is active in more than 200 countries, focusing on the areas of electrification, automation and digitalization. One of the world’s largest producers of energy-efficient, resource-saving technologies, Siemens is No. 1 in offshore wind turbine construction, a leading supplier of combined cycle turbines for power generation, a major provider of power transmission solutions and a pioneer in infrastructure solutions as well as automation, drive and software solutions for industry. The company is also a leading provider of medical imaging equipment – such as computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging systems – and a leader in laboratory diagnostics as well as clinical IT. In fiscal year 2014, which ended on September 30, 2014, Siemens generated revenue from continuing operations of €71.9 billion and net income of €5.5 billion. At the end of September 2014, the company had around 357,000 employees worldwide. Further information is available at www.siemens.com.
About the Thameslink Programme
The Thameslink Programme will transform north-south travel through London. When complete in 2018 it will give passengers:
From 2018, once all the trains are delivered and the new station built at London Bridge, the trains will run every 2-3 minutes in each direction across central London in the peak, providing a north-south metro-like service that intersects with east-west Crossrail at Farringdon and Eurostar at St Pancras International. Cambridge passengers will have direct services to Gatwick taking just 1 hour 40 minutes – up to half an hour quicker than today.
Find out more at www.ThameslinkProgramme.co.uk Follow @TLProgramme
About Govia Thameslink Railway
Govia Thameslink Railway (GTR) began running Thameslink (Bedford to Brighton, Sutton and Wimbledon) and Great Northern (London to Peterborough, Cambridge and King’s Lynn) rail services on 14 September 2014. A small number of services and stations previously operated by Southeastern transferred to GTR in December 2014 and in July 2015 the Southern and Gatwick Express routes were incorporated into the franchise. GTR is now the largest rail franchise in the UK in terms of passenger numbers, trains, revenue and staff: GTR carries about 273 million passenger journeys per year and employs around 6,500 people. www.thameslinkrailway.com
About Cross London Trains (XLT)
Cross London Trains is a consortium comprising Siemens Project Ventures GmbH, Innisfree Limited and 3i Infrastructure plc. XLT is procuring and financing the new train fleet and leasing it to the operator of the Thameslink franchise.