(08-03-2008)

East Suffolk Lines Trains £100,000 Upgrade

A £100,000 programme to upgrade the area's local trains is now complete. Rail operator National Express East Anglia reports its entire fleet of two-car class 156 diesel trains has be fitted with improved seating, tables, and carpeting. A new livery has also been applied to the exterior of all the class 156 units.

The work was done in conjunction with the region's Community Rail Partnerships (CRPs).

Clive Morris, Business Director for National Express East Anglia says the upgrades "represent a significant step-forward in passenger comfort, as well as demonstrating that local partnerships can deliver improvements making train travel more attractive."

The CRPs promote local rail services in Norfolk, Suffolk, and Essex. The partnerships are comprised of members of the public, rail operator National Express East Anglia, Network Rail, and Norfolk and Suffolk County Councils.

The class 156 trains operate local routes across East Anglia, including the local Lowestoft to Ipswich services. The final class 156 train to receive the upgrades will be officially unveiled at Norwich station Monday 10 March at 11am.