Capacity crisis looms at FTPE

摘要

Transfer of nine two-car Class 170 DMUs from First TransPen-nine Express to Chiltem Railways in spring 2015 (p6) is likely to produce a serious reduction in capacity at FTPE, which claims to have the highest seat occupancy rate of any TOC. Industry insiders report that a phased release may be possible, with some of the refurbished sets initially leased back to FTPE until they are required by Chiltern. With 10 four-Car Class 350 EMUs entering service by May, FTPE is aiming to increase capacity by using Class 185 DMUs released by electrification to introduce a fifth hourly service between Manchester and Leeds. This will be provided by a new Liverpool -Newcastle service running via Manchester Victoria, while specific two, three and four-car trains will be lengthened to three, four and six cars.