Class 360s debut for EMR
EAST MIDLANDS Railway (EMR) launched its EMR Connect subbrand with the May 17 timetable change and introduced the modified Class 360 EMUs to passenger service between London St Pancras and Corby. This is the operator’s first electric route, with the twice-hourly service formed of eight-car formations of Class 360 EMUs released from Greater Anglia. It had been hoped to refurbish some of the units, but delays caused by the COVID-19 pandemic has meant this has not been possible. However, EMR remains fully committed to refurbishing the trains as swiftly as possible.
The current schedule from St Pancras International will serve Luton Airport Parkway, Luton, Bedford, Wellingborough, Kettering and Corby every 30 minutes on weekdays from 0600, with services on Sunday afternoon also being significantly improved by a full weekday timetable after 1400.
Elsewhere, EMR also introduced its recently acquired Class 170s to traffic, with earlier and later trains on some routes as well as additions on Sundays.