New train proves a big hit at public events
Publish date
Tuesday, September 14, 2021
Hundreds of people got to experience one of our new trains as it went on public display last week
The train is the first of the new fleet to be officially handed over to the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority by manufacturer Stadler and to celebrate this local people were invited on board for the very first time.
A special event was held at Birkenhead North rail station on Tuesday 7 Sept, when local residents from the Transport Focus Research Group who co-designed the new 777 class trains, got the chance to be the first members of the public to go on-board and see how their direct input has helped shape the design and features of the new trains.
Following this, the train went on public display on Thursday 9 and Saturday 11 with 1,200 people turning up and giving lots of positive feedback.
The new fleet is a key part of Metro Mayor Steve Rotheram’s plans for a London-style transport network that seeks to make it as quick, easy, and reliable for people to travel around the region by taking greater local control of public transport and linking different modes of transport together.
This unit acceptance is a landmark achievement in the project that sees the entire legacy fleet replaced by state-of-the-art, safe, reliable and comfortable trains.
The handover comes after a comprehensive programme of testing and the authorisation from industry regulator, the Office of Rail and Road (ORR), secured earlier this summer.
The Liverpool City Region will be the first to own the new trains, which are set to modernise rail services and enhance the customer experience in the city region.
The trains boast a wide range of customer focussed features including pioneering sliding step technology, which creates step free access for all, dedicated bike storage areas, more space for wheelchairs, prams and luggage plus on board wi-fi.
Details regarding the phased introduction of the trains into passenger service are yet to be confirmed. More information regarding the roll out will be made available as soon as it has been agreed.
To find out more about the new trains visit www.merseytravel.gov.uk/newtrains