The opening of new bay platforms at Hayes & Harlington station means that GWR are able to run more frequent services with brand new electric trains. The eight carriage Electrostar trains have 262 more seats per service than the two carriage trains they are replacing; providing 6,550 more seats a day in each direction.
“We started to run our first new electric trains in September and with the most recent work completed, on time, I am delighted to say that we can now deliver even more of those improvements – with our half hourly services between London Paddington and Hayes & Harlington.”
New Electrostar trains will deliver consistent, high quality travel for customers across the Thames Valley, offering at-seat power sockets, air conditioning, extra luggage space and free WiFi for customers.
The move is part of the biggest fleet upgrade in a generation on the Great Western network, helping to drive improved journey times, increased capacity and greater comfort.
As the Electrostar trains gradually replace the diesel Turbo trains currently in use in the region capacity will increase even further.
The first four of 45 Class 387,
or GWR Electrostar, four-carriage trains were introduced in September
and provided an additional 1,400 seats between Hayes & Harlington
and London Paddington at the busiest times every day for commuters.
Existing diesel Turbo trains
will be cascaded to other parts of the GWR network, providing additional
capacity where it is needed most.
