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First Great Western announces extra carriages First Great Western announces extra carriages
(40 minutes later)
Train operator First Great Western is to introduce 48 more carriages to its services next year.Train operator First Great Western is to introduce 48 more carriages to its services next year.
Some 4,500 seats will be added at peak times between London and South Wales, Bristol, Swindon, Didcot and Oxford.Some 4,500 seats will be added at peak times between London and South Wales, Bristol, Swindon, Didcot and Oxford.
Extra carriages will be used between Falmouth and Truro, and between Paignton, Exmouth, Exeter and Barnstaple.Extra carriages will be used between Falmouth and Truro, and between Paignton, Exmouth, Exeter and Barnstaple.
New trains will operate between Worcester and London Paddington, and between Reading and Basingstoke.New trains will operate between Worcester and London Paddington, and between Reading and Basingstoke.
An extra 924 seats will be available in and out of Bristol during peak times, including 336 through Bath.An extra 924 seats will be available in and out of Bristol during peak times, including 336 through Bath.
First Great Western said the improvements would cost £29m.First Great Western said the improvements would cost £29m.
'Increasing demand''Increasing demand'
The firm's managing director, Mark Hopwood, said the additional carriages would help to reduce overcrowding.The firm's managing director, Mark Hopwood, said the additional carriages would help to reduce overcrowding.
"We've seen an ever increasing demand for travel on our services."We've seen an ever increasing demand for travel on our services.
"This investment will deliver thousands of extra seats for customers across our network," he said."This investment will deliver thousands of extra seats for customers across our network," he said.
The new carriages will come into service between February and September next year.The new carriages will come into service between February and September next year.
Anthony Smith, from passenger watchdog Passenger Focus, said the investment was welcome in the short-term, but he wanted to see "more deals like these from train companies, government and councils".Anthony Smith, from passenger watchdog Passenger Focus, said the investment was welcome in the short-term, but he wanted to see "more deals like these from train companies, government and councils".
"This is especially important as fares will rise in the new year and passengers want to see some action on their concerns and a return for the extra money," he said."This is especially important as fares will rise in the new year and passengers want to see some action on their concerns and a return for the extra money," he said.
"In the longer term, government investment in more carriages, longer trains and improved track capacity is needed.""In the longer term, government investment in more carriages, longer trains and improved track capacity is needed."
The extra 48 carriages will be leased from existing rolling stock that has been reburbished.