Alstrom has agreed a £50 million contract with FirstGroup and Eversholt Rail to refresh and maintain five, six-car Class 222 Meridian trains. This comes ahead of open access passenger services being launched between Stirling and London under FirstGroup’s Lumo brand.
The contract includes a fleet modernisation programme with Eversholt Rail. The refresh involves installation of new, ergonomically designed seating, upgraded passenger Wi-Fi for improved onboard connectivity and a full exterior repaint with Lumo’s branding.
The modernisation also includes new CCTV systems.
Built by Alstom and previously operated by East Midlands Railway, the five Meridian units are scheduled to re-enter service with Lumo next year, serving passengers between central and southern Scotland and London Euston.
Open access rail operators are set up with solely private investment and take full commercial risk and opportunity.
The stations on the line served by the Lumo trains served will include Stirling, Larbert, Greenfaulds (serving Cumbernauld) Whifflet (serving Coatbridge), Motherwell, Lockerbie, Carlisle, Preston, Crewe, Nuneaton, Milton Keynes and London Euston. The service will provide Whifflet, Greenfaulds and Larbert with their first direct services to London.
“By combining Alstom’s deep technical expertise with the operational excellence of FirstGroup and Eversholt Rail, we’re ensuring that fare-paying passengers benefit from a modern, reliable and comfortable travel experience between Stirling and London. The investment in both refurbishment and long-term support reflects our shared ambition to drive innovation and sustainability in rail transport,” said Peter Broadley, Commercial Director UK and Ireland at Alstom.
“The upgraded features will enhance the passenger experience for the journey between London and Stirling,” said Paul Sutherland, Client Services Director at Eversholt Rail.
