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44 new carriages gives Thameslink commuters boost
Dick Murray, Transport Editor07.03.08
Commuters on one of London's most notoriously overcrowded routes were given a boost today as new carriages were ordered for Thameslink.
The new carriages - the equivalent to 11 of the normal four-carriage trains - will be in service by next spring as part of a route upgrade. The Brighton-Bedford service, run by First Capital Connect, will take delivery of the 44 new carriages later this year, significantly increasing capacity. It will allow many more rush hour services to run with eight carriages, adding hundreds of seats.
The route's overcrowding has been highlighted repeatedly by the Evening Standard's Seat for Every Commuter campaign.
Used by 130,000 people a day, Thameslink has one of the worst records for overcrowding, with a poll showing 50 per cent of passengers regularly being unable to get on their chosen service because it was so packed.
The new Electrostar trains will cost £53 million. The order for the carriages - which will be built in Britain's last train factory in Derby - is a major step towards the planned upgrade for the line.
The £5.5 billion Thameslink expansion scheme will see 12-car trains run at the rush hour by 2011, with platforms at a series of stations lengthened to allow for the longer services.
The existing branch from Farringdon to Moorgate will be shut to increase the number of through services, and allow platforms at Farringdon to be extended to take the 12-carriage trains.
By 2011, there will be a new station at Blackfriars with platforms spanning the Thames.
The most ambitious part of the scheme will be a massive expansion of London Bridge station, currently the key bottleneck on the line.
New platforms for Thameslink will mean part of Borough Market being demolished to make way for new viaducts into the station.
When complete, the renewed network will service several other destinations on top of the current Bedford-Brighton main line and branch to Wimbledon.
Reader views (4)
I think "part of Borough Market being demolished" is an overstatement of the impact of the new viaduct.
- Alan Griffiths, Forest Gate, London
As an American; looking for unbiased news and views; during an election cycle I reclaimed your newspaper site! At first, I thought that I was being brought back to the 19th Century. Then I realized that you were writing about Train Cars! I don't know the economic issues that must have been discussed in your city and newspaper. However, if you ever come to Portland, Oregon or Seattle Washington you might be shocked to see street cars or "trolley" cars {Now called Light Rail}! We love them out here in the Pacific North-West! I don't believe we ever gave up on them!
If you come out here have fun and check them out!
- George De Randich, Washington State, U.S.A.
Whoopee for Thameslink. Unless I'm much mistaken, DfT rail's plans for Thameslink include taking stock from Southern's Watford-Brighton service and handing it to FCC and giving Southern older dodgy Networkers from Southeastern in replacement. Aren't we lucky?
- Simon, London, UK
This is very welcome news. However, not so welcome are First Capital Connect's plans for a dangerous, cheapskate version of the sorely needed West Hampstead Interchange, announced last month. They involve funnelling thousands of passengers along crowded, narrow pavements and across two busy roads. Last week a man was dragged under a lorry and lost his leg in just this location. They must be forced to rethink and work with the other rail/underground stakeholders to come up with a properly-designed, safe, efficient interchange solution separating passengers and road traffic.
- Robert C, London,
