Swindon MPs Justin Tomlinson and Robert Buckland have welcomed First Great Western's confirmation that they will be increasing standard class capacity on High Speed Trains by converting first class carriages.
The move, a joint investment of around £13 million with the Department for Transport, will provide additional standard class capacity and allow First Great Western to refresh it's trains operating between Swindon and London. The partnership between First Great Western and Government will deliver almost 3,000 more standard class seats a day for customers across the network, giving customers nearly 16% more standard class accommodation on High Speed Trains from Swindon into London in the morning peak.
35 of the company's High Speed Trains will take first class carriages and convert them into standard class carriages with 80 standard class seats whilst another 18 High Speed Trains will have a first class carriage converted into a composite carriage, half standard and half first, with the saloons fully divided with a door. In addition to the extra seats, following customer feedback these carriages will also have more 4-person tables.
All of the work to convert the carriages and to refresh the trains will be done in the UK, with the work to the first class carriages being undertaken at our depot in Laira, Plymouth and the reseating work being undertaken in Scotland. The first completed carriages are expected to be running in June 2014, with the entire fleet completed by late summer 2015.
Justin and Robert have also welcomed First Great Western's confirmation that it will fit free Wi-Fi to all of its High Speed Services - the first services with Wi-Fi will operate from June and will be free to both standard and first class customers.
Justin Tomlinson MP said: "This is fantastic news for commuters in Swindon who have to use the Great Western line. Extra capacity on trains to and from Swindon is something both Robert and I have campaigned for and I am delighted that the Department for Transport is working with First Great Western to provide more than 3,000 more standard class seats a day".
