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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. |