|
|
 |
| |
Arriving at last! First of £250m new train fleet on ‘Cinderella’ line plagued by crowded service
PASSENGERS had to “pinch themselves” this week as they boarded the first of the spanking new trains on the notorious North London “Cinderella” line.
But with just one of the new trains arriving every two to three hours, the majority of commuters were yet to ride on one. Those lucky enough to catch a new model – including the New Journal – were quite positive.
The trains, part of a £250million fleet of 44 with three walk-through air-conditioned carriages, are being gradually introduced over the next 18 months to two years.
This follows years of neglect when passengers were forced to ride in ageing, overcrowded carriages on the service which passes through Camden Road station.
Ultimately, the new trains will run every 10 to 15 minutes.
They will be able to carry almost 500 people, which represents an eight per cent increase compared to the existing trains.
When Overground platforms are extended in 2011 to cater for trains four carriages long, they will be able to carry almost 700 people each – almost 50 per cent more passengers than now.
London Mayor Boris Johnson said: “For far too long passengers on our Overground lines have suffered from crumbling, unreliable trains that were just not up to muster. Every element on these brand spanking new trains has been crafted to meet the capital’s needs and the standard of design will surprise even the most hardened traveller.”
The new fleet will be similar to Tube trains inside, with more flip-down seats, giving extra standing room to allow for hop-on, hop-off journeys.
The arrival of the new trains is a crucial step towards Transport for London’s ambitious plans to build the Overground into an orbital railway around the capital by 2012.
As well as air-conditioning, the trains also feature driver-monitored CCTV, improving security for passengers, and state-of-the-art information displays and announcements.
However, rail campaigners argue that the new trains will initially make little difference to the “poor” standard of service.
Barking-Gospel Oak User Group secretary Richard Pout said the occasional new train would do nothing to end major delays to the service and to prevent people being squashed into carriages like sardines.
He added: “One of the biggest problems is that freight trains are still using the passenger lines between Camden Road, Highbury and Islington and Barking, which means huge delays.” |
 |
|
|
|
| |
| |
|
|
|
