Grand Central to invest £7.8m in service improvements

Grand Central Rail has today revealed planned £7.8m worth of investments to improve the reliability, capacity and comfort of its services over the next 12 years.

Following the extension of its operating licence, which gives the company permission to run trains between London, the North East and Yorkshire until 2026, Grand Central will invest significantly in the comfort and reliability of its fleet of trains as well as passenger facilities at stations.

Richard McClean, Managing Director of Grand Central Rail, said: “We’ve listened to our passengers and the investments we’re making will improve the reliability of services as well as the comfort and reliability of our on-board facilities. We’re starting our investments early to get a head start on improvements for passengers, with a refurbishment to our current fleet due to begin in early 2015.

“Our entire fleet will be brought up to a new high standard, with leather seats in First Class and improvements across the Standard class carriages, toilets and vestibules. We’ll also switch to using LED lighting on board which, as well as being better for the environment, will improve the reliability of power sockets for charging mobile phones and laptops. Our on-board Wi-Fi will also remain free for all passengers in both Standard and First Class and we’re already making improvements to the usability and speed of the Wi-Fi connection.”

Grand Central Rail has signed a lease with Angel Trains for a further five Class 180 trains which, along with the company’s existing five Class 180 services, will be seen on the rails from 2017. It has also pledged capital investment to improve passenger facilities at stations on its route.

Grand Central Rail’s award-winning Station Ambassador programme will also be rolled out to additional stations in Yorkshire. Station Ambassadors are currently in place at Hartlepool, Eaglescliffe and Brighouse Stations, with plans to introduce Ambassadors at Mirfield and Thirsk Stations in the near future.