New trains which start to go into service on the Oxenholme to Windermere and Barrow to Lancaster lines on Monday (1 July) have been welcomed by local councillor James Airey, the Conservative’s Parliamentary candidate for Westmorland and Lonsdale.
The Lakes Line and Furness Line will be amongst the first to take delivery of the trains which form part of Northern’s new £500 million fleet.
The new Lakes Line and Furness Line trains will have air conditioning, a seat reservation system, plug sockets at every seat, free Wi-Fi and live-feed information screens. They will also have more space for wheelchairs and cycles. They will initially see service in the mornings before being rolled-out to the rest of the timetable.
Councillor James Airey said: “When I met the Rail Minister Andrew Jones in April, I made the case for more investment in the Lakes Line and the Furness Line and am delighted that on Monday we are going to be amongst the first areas to receive these new trains.”
Rail Minister Andrew Jones MP said: “"The introduction of these new trains is an important landmark. They deliver a huge improvement for Northern rail passengers, and I am sure will be very popular.
“The next few months will see new fleets on the Transpennine franchise too, so that means wherever customers are travelling across the north they will do so on trains fit for the 21st century. I would like to congratulate everyone involved in making this happen.
"It is good to see the introduction include the Lakes Line and the Furness Line. There has been real drive from local campaigners fighting for their lines to receive new trains, so I pay tribute to councillor James Airey for his tenacity and determination."
