Passengers often forced to stand on First Great Western trains to London have welcomed the news that it is converting some of its first class carriages to standard class – creating almost 3,000 more seats.
First Great Western has secured agreement with the Department for Transport to take the step across its network, which will add nearly 16 per cent more standard class seats on high speed services into London in the busy morning peak.
One passenger told Marlborough News Online: “And about time too. It has been so obvious day in day out that passengers have not only suffered rising train fares but also crowded trains with no seats available – unless you want to wander into first class and grab an empty seat.”
First Great Western Managing Director Mark Hopwood, First Great Western’s managing director, told Marlborough News Online: “We know that, ultimately, the only long-term solution to busy services is more trains. New Intercity Express trains are on their way, however, it is still some time before they will be ready for service.
“The conversion of these carriages to create more standard class seating is crucial in the interim period.”
The first completed carriages are expected to be running in June 2014, with the entire fleet completed by late summer 2015.
Hockey: Marlborough men defeated by a team seeking promotion – and getting it
