GovWire

A fully modernised rail service with British-built carriages providing faster trains, more seats, free Wi-Fi for all users and tough new performance targets is unveiled by the government today (10 August 2016).

The new service for rail passengers across East Anglia promises to deliver more than 1,040 new state of the art carriages and cut journey times by an average of 10%.

It will also deliver one of the biggest orders for British-built trains almost 1 billion for 660 carriages from the Bombardier factory in Derby as part of a contract that will secure 1,000 jobs into the next decade.

The government today announced it has awarded the franchise to Abellio East Anglia, who will oversee this 1.4 billion investment to local rail services.

Key benefits of the new franchise include:

• at least 4 90-minute services (2 in each direction) between London and Norwich each weekday and 2 60-minute services per day between London and Ipswich
• free Wi-Fi for all passengers on trains and at stations
• 1,043 new, state of the art carriages between January 2019 and September 2020 to support the faster timetable, with a full programme of refurbishment for the current fleet in the meantime
• automatic delay repay for season and advance purchase tickets
• tough new targets for operational performance levels at 93% - up from 89.7% currently
• a host of new ticketing initiatives, starting in October 2017, including new offers for part time users and those who dont travel every day

By 2021, there will be more than 32,000 more seats on services arriving at London Liverpool Street in the morning peak, while the new franchise will introduce 1,144 additional weekday services an increase of 13% to stations including Cambridge, Norwich, Stansted Airport, Lowestoft, Southend and London Liverpool Street.

Transport Secretary Chris Grayling said:

We are making the biggest investment in the railways since the Victorian era. By awarding this franchise to Abellio East Anglia we will improve journeys for people in East Anglia.

Abellios decision will ensure our train building industry in Derby remains strong.

This is part of our plan to make an economy that works for everyone not just the privileged few by ensuring prosperity is spread throughout the country.

Dominic Booth managing director of Abellio UK said:

This is great news not only for Abellio but for the whole of East Anglia. We are pleased to become preferred bidder to deliver a transformation in rail services across the region.

It will enable us to build on the successes of the 2 short East Anglian franchises we have run since 2012, and we commend the DfT in running a transparent and rigorous procurement process.

Our plans will greatly improve our customers experience with faster and more reliable journeys on new trains with higher frequencies and reduced journey times, to support the socio-economic well-being of East Anglia, one of the countrys most successful and fastest growing areas.

Des McKeon UK Commercial Director at Bombardier Transportation said:

Were delighted to be chosen, pending final contract signing, as the preferred supplier for new trains for the East Anglia franchise. We look forward to working with our customer the Abellio UK, to support them in transforming rail services throughout the region and delivering an enhanced customer experience through the provision of new trains.

Its a great endorsement of Bombardiers next-generation AVENTRA train family, which offers maximum flexibility, to serve many different market requirements from metro to intercity.

More than 97 million journeys are made on East Anglias rail network each year, with around 4,300 trains every week serving London commuters, the regional hubs of Cambridge, Ipswich and Norwich, leisure travellers to Stansted Airport and coastal and rural resorts around the region.

The new franchise will run from October 2016 until 2025.

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