Latest News | 16 September 2015
£13m Package of Benefits for East Mids Trains Customers
Bondholder East Midlands Trains, Britain's most punctual long-distance train operator, will benefit from around £13m of investment under a new agreement between Stagecoach Group and the Department for Transport (DfT).
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“This is great news for customers and taxpayers. Over the past eight years we have demonstrated our commitment to providing the best possible service for our customers. ”
The new franchise will run from October this year until at least March 2018, with the DfT having the option to extend the contract for a further year.
Benefits shall include:
- Better value fares with a freeze on all Anytime fares to London until 2017 and 250,000 discounted Advanced Purchase tickets available through its biggest ever sale;
- A new mobile app, upgraded 4G connectivity on trains plus 15 minutes of free WiFi on London Trains as well as new smartphones for customer-facing staff;
- Faster refunds through an online automated system;
- Cleaner stations and trains with extra cleaning staff;
- Accessibility improvements with new in-house disability expert and £1m investment in station accessibility;
- Improved on-board service with a shop on many peak time services to/from London and complimentary First Class breakfast extended to include selected Saturday morning services for the first time;
- More seats and faster journeys;
- Community engagement with the extension of the community rail programme supported by an extra £250,000 in funding and a new Partnerships Manager;
- Investment in people – more frontline staff to help customers enhanced customer service training for employees; providing more opportunities for graduates and young people.
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“This is a great deal for East Midlands Trains customers, and will mean significantly better journeys for passengers travelling around the region”
