Article from BTNews 19 AUGUST 2019
'New era' for East Midlands Railway
What is promised to be a “new era” for rail services between London St Pancras International, East Midlands and Luton Airport begins today, Monday, as the Netherlands-based transport specialist Abellio starts operating the East Midlands Railway (EMR) for the next eight years.
The company says it is planning an investment of more than £600m in improvements to the EMR network, which also includes across the East Midlands and between Bedford, Corby, Wellingborough and Kettering.
Among improvements Abellio says it will introduce are more regular services between St Pancras and Luton Airport, with a new Luton Airport Express-style service operated by a new all-electric fleet of trains.
Other plans outlined by Abellio UK managing director Dominic Booth include replacing the entire intercity train fleet including 165 new intercity bi-mode carriages that will link cities in the North and East Midlands to St Pancras.
There will also be an investment of £20m at all stations with specific improvements made at St Pancras including new waiting areas for all EMR customers including additional seating and better lounge areas.
“Abellio is delighted to have been entrusted to operate East Midlands Railway and we’ve already started on our £600m investment package to transform rail services,” Booth added.
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