Regeneration
Brand new fleet of electric trains now calling at Walsall
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Walsall Council has welcomed the news that brand-new Class 730 electric trains are now calling at Walsall.
The new fleet of electric trains are part of West Midlands Railway’s £1billion investment. The trains have recently entered service on the Rugeley-Birmingham International route, calling at Walsall, for the first time in recent weeks. They are also in use on the Walsall-Wolverhampton via Birmingham route.
Class 730 trains promise a more spacious feel, more bike storage areas, at least one accessible toilet per train, clear luggage racks to minimise forgotten bags, improved digital information screens, USB sockets and plugs for every seat, underfloor heating, intelligent air conditioning and free WiFi.
“ It’s great to see the new trains in operation through Walsall. Accessible, convenient and attractive public transport is key in making sure local people can travel to and from the borough and it’s great to see this investment into improving our infrastructure. “
Image courtesy of West Midlands Railway
Image courtesy of West Midlands Railway
Image courtesy of West Midlands Railway
Image courtesy of West Midlands Railway
At the moment around 1 in 10 trains at Walsall is a Class 730, but by Christmas it is expected the majority will be, as more drivers are trained on them. The trains replace 20-year-old rolling stock. Each three-carriage Class 730 train can carry 546 passengers, an increase of 40% on the capacity of the outgoing fleet.
“ We are delighted even more customers at Walsall are now enjoying the benefit of travelling on our newest trains, which offer increased capacity and modern features like power points and smart air conditioning.
With six trains departing the station every hour and more than a million passenger journeys made to and from Walsall every year, we are proud that these new trains are playing their part in helping to grow the economy of the borough by enhancing leisure and business travel. “
ENDS
