The first of the long-awaited new Merseyrail trains is set to welcome passengers in a matter of days after a crucial deal with drivers was agreed today.
Merseyrail drivers, represented by the ASLEF union, have voted to accept a new deal for working on the state-of-the-art new Class 777 trains. The union deal is the final hurdle in the long-running saga of beginning the roll-out of the new trains.
The Class 777 trains are due to replace the existing Merseyrail fleet of 507 trains, with a deal to purchase the new vehicles signed back in 2016. But the roll-out of the new models has been held up by a number of factors including the pandemic and industrial disputes.
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Today's deal announcement means that the launch of the first new trains can begin imminently. The first of the new trains will operate on the Kirkby line.
The roll-out of the trains will then be carried out in a phased approach, with new trains gradually replacing the ageing rolling stock over a period that could run to 15 months in total. This approach will see all vehicles replaced on the Kirkby line first before the project moves on to other lines.
Responding to news of the agreed deal today, Steve Rotheram, Mayor of the Liverpool City Region said: "The agreement between Merseyrail and ASLEF is brilliant news for us because it gives the green light to launch our region’s new £500m fleet of publicly owned trains into action. We are enormously grateful to passengers for their patience during this process but the day we have all been waiting for has finally arrived.
“Throughout this process, all parties have worked diligently to ensure that passengers can enjoy our new trains as soon as possible. We’ve worked with the trade unions and train operator to help deliver a fair deal for everyone; one that protects jobs, enhances the role of a second safety critical member of staff on every train and provides passengers with value for money.
“Unlike the government’s approach nationally, we’ve shown that there is a better way to handle these matters – and it’s by getting everyone around the table and working together in good faith.
Mayor Rotheram added: “These new £500m publicly-owned trains will be the envy of towns and cities across the country. By putting our principles into practice, we have developed the most sophisticated and accessible local trains in the UK - symbolic of our wider efforts to modernise and grow the Liverpool City Region.
“Today is a massive milestone in my journey to build the London-style transport system that our area deserves. These new trains will bring the region’s rail network into the 21st century.
“Alongside the work we’re doing to take back control of our buses, investments in active travel, and work to simplify and integrate ticketing, I want to build a network that is cheaper, faster, cleaner and more reliable. We’ll be announcing the schedule for the phased introduction of our new trains imminently – watch this space!”
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