The roll-out of new state-of-the-art Merseyrail trains is continuing across the region's rail network.
The first of the new Class 777 trains started to arrive on the network earlier this year after a series of delays because of union disputes, the pandemic and other issues.
The Kirkby line was the first to see the new trains introduced, with the line fully stocked with 777s by early March. After this the roll-out moved onto the Ormskirk line.
READ MORE: Southport Labour shortlist to rival Tory seat contains no local candidates
It's fair to say that the project of rolling out the new trains has not been seamless. There have been plenty of teething issues that have at times threatened to spill over into genuine concern. At one point a software issue meant that the every new train that had been brought into service had to be taken out of service to be worked on.
Those software issues have continued and in early June the operator accepted that continued problems with the new trains were causing delays and disruption.
But in recent weeks things have improved, with less technical problems and more new trains entering the service. This has meant that the Ormskirk line is now fully stocked with the new models. Transport chiefs say that as the project moves into the summer they are seeing an overall improvement of performance of Class 777s and fewer issues.
The roll-out will next move on to the Wirral line, which will slowly build through the second half of the year, with more and more of the new vehicles appearing on the network.
Those living on the Southport to Hunts Cross line will have to be the most patient, but transport bosses hope that the first of the new trains could be running on that part of the network before the end of 2023.
Get the latest political news from Merseyside and UK by signing up to our newsletter
