Aurora fleet enters into service: First customers travel on state-of-the-art train
- Transport UK and EMR announce first new Aurora train has entered into service
- New trains provide more seats, modern, spacious interiors and enhanced accessibility features
- The state-of-the-art Hitachi Rail built fleet will transform the experience of customers as they travel on the Midland Main Line
Today marks a new chapter for rail travel in the East Midlands and South Yorkshire, as the first train from Transport UK and East Midlands Railway’s (EMR) new £400 million fleet carried its inaugural customers.
The maiden Aurora service departed Sheffield at 7am, bound for London, giving customers their first taste of the step-change in comfort, reliability and performance that the new Hitachi Rail fleet brings to the network.
The 33 bi-mode trains will take advantage of the £1.5 billion Midland Main Line upgrade, with the ability to run on electric overhead lines - dramatically cutting carbon emissions by 66 per cent, meaning quieter and greener journeys too.
The Aurora fleet will provide customers 24 per cent more seats and over 19 per cent more legroom in a typical five carriage formation, compared to the Meridian trains it is replacing.
Once the full fleet of 33 trains is in service, it will deliver a substantial 46 per cent increase in the total number of seats available for customers travelling on the Midland Main Line.
Transport UK’s EMR business went to great lengths to source and adapt a brand-new seat for the new trains. Working closely with Derby-based design firm DG DESIGN, it has taken the proven product of a FISA Lean seat and refined it to offer enhanced comfort and support for customers.
At the same time, it has ensured the seats include practical and technological features including power and USB points, generous legroom, coat hooks, well-sized seat-back tables for all seats and space to stow a cabin-bag under each seat.
The new Aurora fleet includes an enhanced Wi-Fi system that uses multiple sim cards to select the best possible signal for customers. Furthermore, thanks to the use of glass engineered to allow mobile signals to pass through more effectively, customers will benefit from improved connectivity.
Will Rogers, Managing Director for East Midlands Railway, said: "Today is truly a landmark moment for rail travel across the East Midlands and South Yorkshire.
"At 7am, the very first train in Transport UK and EMR’s brand-new £400 million Aurora fleet departed Sheffield for London St Pancras - marking the start of a new era for Intercity travel on our network.
"With more seats, legroom and luggage space, as well as enhanced Wi-Fi, passenger information and the ability to run on electric, these new trains will transform the service we can provide."