Northern Rail have announced that 50 new ‘digital’ trains will be running by 2020 across cities including Lincoln.
It comes after Sheffield City Region mayor Dan Jarvis’ criticisms of the country’s ‘unacceptable investments in northern transport’.
The new services will replace ‘Pacer’ trains that were used for up to 35-years despite being designed for temporary use. Free wifi, screens with real-time information and increased disability access are among improvements said to be made by the company in the newer additions.
“The batch of trains introduced in 2020 will be highly modernized. They’ll include digital screens on all the trains with timetables, TV advertisements, you name it. It’s a much needed boost for the Northern Rail service with the North not having anywhere near the same amount of funding as the South does with public transport”, Northern Rail customer service officer James Longley, 32, said.
The £500m scheme will aim to see a more reliable transport service for more than 100 Northern stations.
