Brentwood and Ongar MP, Alex Burghart, has welcomed the arrival of the first of the new state-of-the-art Elizabeth Line Crossrail trains from Liverpool Street to Shenfield.
The trains will be phased in gradually to the timetable, starting with one return trip per day from today (Thursday 22nd June).
Dr Burghart said: “The new Elizabeth Line trains have been long awaited, and there is no doubt the increased capacity and air-conditioning on board will be very welcome to local people heading into London and, ultimately, beyond. This is the next phase in giving our area even better links to the West End, the west of England and the world.”
Transport Minister Paul Maynard said: “We are delivering the biggest rail modernisation programme for over a century and these new trains will transform the way people travel across London and beyond. Our multi-billion pound investment in the Elizabeth Line will bring better and faster journeys, while boosting jobs and driving economic growth. This investment reflects our commitment, and that of train operators, to put passengers at the heart of everything we do and will improve journeys and target congestion.”
Eleven trains will be introduced on the route by the autumn and will initially be 160 metres long and made up of seven carriages. They will later be extended to nine carriages and the full length of 200 metres to carry up to 1,500 people. ENDS