Extra Class 153s cover for late bi-modes in Wales
PORTERBROOK is supplying Transport for Wales with additional Class 153s to offset the continued delays to the Class 769 FLEX project.
Those delays have led to TfW applying for a derogation to use Pacers into 2020, having planned to remove them from traffic by the end of the year because they do not meet accessibility regulations that come into force from January 1 (see Network News, pages 6-7).
“Some of TfW’s plans depend on our innovative Class 769 trains, whose introduction into service has been subject to delays, for which we apologise,” said Porterbrook Chief Executive Mary Grant.
“We are actively working with TfW and our supply chain to deliver these trains as soon as possible. In the meantime, we have accelerated delivery of our Class 170s, and are also supplying additional trains to cover for the Class 769s and provide support to TfW and their passengers,”
The Class 170s are moving from Greater Anglia, with three so far having arrived at Cardiff Canton (170207/270/272). The operator will use the ‘170s’ on its Cheltenham-Maesteg and Cardiff Central-Ebbw Vale routes. They enter traffic this December.
The additional Class 153s involved are five that will move from GA (153306/309/314/322/ 335) and four from West Midlands Trains, which will remain with TfW until all nine ‘769s’ are in traffic. So far, two FLEX units (bi-modes converted from electric Class 319s) have been delivered to Cardiff Canton, but neither has begun testing.
TfW claims Mk 4s will also enter traffic on some North WalesManchester routes from December, as part of an overall scheme to introduce space for an extra 6,500 passengers per week. An additional locomotive-hauled train will also be introduced between Holyhead and Cardiff Central.
The plan for the Pacers, subject to approval, is for them to operate as four-car formations on the Rhymney route. They will work alongside Class 37-hauled trains operated by TfW, which have already received dispensation to operate until sufficient ‘769s’ become available.
Transport for Wales Chief Executive James Price said: “Our plan is to retain some of our Pacer and Class 37 locomotive-hauled trains for a short period of time in 2020 to allow us to increase capacity of our busiest routes, meaning extra space onboard for our customers.”
TfW plans to use Class 150/2s on 11 trains currently operated by Pacers to Treherbert, Aberdare and Merthyr Tydfil.
Trains that do not meet new disabled access regulations will require dispensation from Secretary of State for Transport Grant Shapps to continue to run after December 31.
The Government is to consider applications on the individual merits of each case.