Greater Anglia has announced a £3 million upgrade to its fleet of local trains in Norfolk and Suffolk.
The train operator’s nine two-carriage Class 156 vehicles will receive a complete interior overhaul, including new carpets, dado panels, seat covers and a deep clean as well as the installation of a new passenger information system which will deliver automatic announcements. The vehicles will also be fitted with a universal access toilet.
Each unit will also receive a brand new coat of paint in the company’s red and white livery.
Work on the upgrade commenced earlier this month, with the first unit due to be completed and returned to service at the end of November.
The entire refurbishment programme will continue until late 2013.
Therese Coffey, MP for Suffolk Coastal whose constituency includes the Ipswich – Lowestoft East Suffolk Line, one of the routes on which the Class 156s are used, said: “I’m delighted that passengers on the East Suffolk line will benefit from refurbished trains with a nicer travelling environment, better information provision and upgraded toilet facilities.”
The Class 156 units are in operation on several routes across the Greater Anglia network including the Marks Tey -Sudbury, Ipswich – Cambridge, Ipswich – Lowestoft, Norwich – Great Yarmouth and Norwich – Sheringham lines.
