To provide more capacity across our network, we have carried out a complete review of how and where we use our trains. The change has been brought about by our new franchise commitment for increasing demand for our services, which is partly brought about by the increasing number of housing developments and people needing to commute within the South West Trains' area.
To make sure we provide as many seats as possible where they are most needed, we are changing the type of trains operating on some routes.
Ascot, Reading and Guildford line trains
We will be changing the type of trains we run on the Ascot, Reading and Guildford (via Camberley) to London Waterloo routes to Class 458 trains.
These changes will be made gradually as the trains become available for use on these lines. This will give an additional 28 seats on each 8 carriage train.
Basingstoke, Winchester and Eastleigh line trains
Services on the route between Eastleigh, Winchester, Basingstoke and London Waterloo will be either Class 444 Desiro (white trains) or Class 450 Desiro (blue trains). These changes will come into effect over the next few months.
Portsmouth line trains
To provide more capacity on some of our busiest Portsmouth line trains, we will be running some services currently formed of ten carriage Class 444 Desiros (white trains) as 12 carriage Class 450 Desiros (blue trains). Whilst it is appreciated that the seating layout in a class 450 is different to that in a class 444, a 12-car 450 provides over 140 more seats than a 10-car 444 train which will help alleviate some of the overcrowding on this route, which has increased significantly since the last passenger count was undertaken last year. The 1730 and 1800 from Waterloo when counted for instance, have both consistently shown to be overcrowded with up to 100 or 200 people standing on some occasions.
A number of class 444s will be retained on a number of services such as the 0615 and 0642 from Portsmouth in the mornings, and the 1630, 1700 and 1900 from Waterloo in the evenings.
These changes will take place gradually as the 450 trains become available.
Southampton and Bournemouth line trains
We will be replacing the 20 year old 442 train fleet on the Weymouth to Waterloo line with new modern Class 444 mainline Desiro trains. This replacement programme has already begun and will be completed in February 2007.