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THE DEPARTMENT FOR TRANSPORT yesterday announced its strategy increase capacity on the rail network between 2009 and 2014.
The full 13-page document, in PDF format (64Kb), can be downloaded here: Department for Transport - Rolling Stock Plan.
Disappointingly, the Government says that it is keen to see private sector experience used in the procurement process, and expects that TOCs will lead in the procurement of the additional vehicles.
The new trains are expected to be lighter, to minimise wear-and-tear on the track, and more fuel-efficient than those currently in operation.
Cities in our area identified as needing extra capacity are Leeds and Manchester, and to a lesser extent Liverpool, Sheffield, Nottingham and Newcastle.
According to the report: "Northern would introduce new DMU and EMU vehicles not only to deliver additional capacity within the franchise but also to ensure existing DMU and EMU vehicles (class 323 units) can be cascaded. Other additional capacity in the franchise is likely to be provided by cascaded vehicles from the West Midlands franchise and the London rail concession.
"It is expected that Transpennine Express will introduce additional new DMU vehicles to strengthen existing services and provide additional capacity in many regional conurbations.
"Cross Country franchise is already committed to introducing forty additional vehicles with the introduction of five High Speed Train sets. Additional DMU vehicles would provide additional capacity around Leicester.
"National Express East Coast is already committed to introducing additional locomotive hauled carriages as part of the recently awarded franchise."
