New trains running on busy Norwich-Cambridge route

October 2, 2019

Greater Anglia today officially launched the introduction of brand-new state-of-the-art trains between Cambridge and Norwich – one of the busiest regional routes on the network.

New bi-mode trains, which can run on diesel or electricity, are now in service on the Cambridge-Norwich route, where last year over 700,000 journeys were recorded.

Today (27 September) VIP guests from Cambridgeshire and Norfolk took a journey on one of the new trains and a celebration was held at Cambridge station, where Jamie Burles, Greater Anglia managing director, Daniel Zeichner MP and James Palmer, Mayor of Cambridgeshire and Peterborough gave speeches.

Modern longer state-of-the-art bi-mode trains are now in service on three routes on the Greater Anglia network – Norwich to Great Yarmouth, Lowestoft and Cambridge – just three years after the contract was signed to buy 58 trains from Swiss train manufacturer Stadler.

Jamie Burles, Greater Anglia managing director, said: “The Cambridge-Norwich route is one of our busiest regional routes, with increases in passenger numbers reflecting the growth of both cities.

“The line is busy with commuters going to work but also with students from the towns and villages served along the route going to school, college and university in Norwich and Cambridge.

“Our new trains are longer, with more seats, and facilities to help passengers make the most of their travel time such as plug and USB points and free fast wifi.

“These are intercity quality trains on a regional route – and appropriate for a line which travels between East Anglia’s two biggest cities. Feedback from customers has been overwhelmingly positive.”

Greater Anglia is getting 38 bi-mode trains – 24 x four-carriage trains and 14 x three-carriage trains – which will run between Norwich and Great Yarmouth, Lowestoft, Cambridge and Sheringham; Ipswich and Cambridge, Felixstowe, Lowestoft, and Peterborough; and Marks Tey and Sudbury.

In addition, the company is also getting 20 electric trains from Stadler, 10 for the intercity route between Norwich and London Liverpool Street and 10 for the Stansted Express service between London Liverpool Street and Stansted Airport.

The Stadler trains have lower floors, with sliding steps at every door which bridge the gap between the train and the platform, making it easier to get on and off the train with wheelchairs and pushchairs.

They are some of the first trains in the UK to be financed with long-term investment from pension funds and insurance companies through Rock Rail East Anglia, a joint venture between Rock Rail, Aberdeen Standard Investments and GLIL Infrastructure.

Greater Anglia is getting a further 111 electric commuter trains from Bombardier, procured by Angel Trains,  which will run into Liverpool Street from Cambridge, Hertfordshire, Essex and Suffolk.

Each train is longer with more seats, air conditioning, plug and USB points, dedicated cycle spaces and improved passenger information screens.

Martino Celeghini, project manager for Stadler, said: “Following the introduction of new trains on routes between Norwich and Great Yarmouth as well as Lowestoft, we are pleased to see them being rolled out on the Cambridge line.

“With more trains steadily being brought in, Stadler is confident that passengers will appreciate their key features: comfort, style, ride quality and of course, the sliding step, which will dramatically improve travel for people with limited mobility.”

Mark Swindell, Chief Executive Officer Rock Rail said: “Rock Rail is delighted to see these world class trains enter service on the major Cambridge-Norwich route and receive such positive feedback from passengers.

“The long term, highly competitive funding from our pension fund and insurance company partners enables greatly enhanced value for money to passengers over the life of the trains along with significant improvements in the travel experiences for people of East Anglia.”

Rail Minister, Chris Heaton-Harris said: “It’s exciting to see the launch of brand new trains on the Cambridge-Norwich line, bringing tangible benefits including improved Wi-Fi and better accessibility to a huge number of passengers.

“Our priority is delivering a truly passenger-focused railway that sees our trains running on time. A transformation for rail users in East Anglia is firmly underway, with greener, cleaner journeys and a more comfortable and reliable service for those who use the line regularly.”