Conservative MP Candidate for Havant Alan Mak has challenged MTR and First Group to deliver on their promises to increase the speed, frequency and capacity of trains to London Waterloo when they take over the South West Trains franchise this August.
In their successful bid, First Group and MTR promised refurbished trains, free wi-fi at stations and on mainland trains, 35 additional weekly services between Havant and London Waterloo, increased Sunday services and live information on seating availability and crowding levels. They also promised to add 22,000 extra seats to services entering London Waterloo during the morning peak and increase capacity during the evening peak by 30,000 extra seats.
Alan recently met both the Chief Executive and the European Business Director of MTR to lobby them on behalf of Havant’s commuters and residents who will use the new operators’ trains to London Waterloo. Alan visited MTR’s control room to see their operations first hand, and meet staff and management.
Mr Mak said: “After campaigning for better, faster trains from Havant to London Waterloo for two years as the area’s MP, I’m pleased to see improvements are going to be made,” “It’s important that we invest in our transport infrastructure to support Havant’s economic growth and ensure travellers get the service they deserve. First Group are well known, but MTR less so I met their senior management. I’m impressed by MTR’s track record around the world, and I want them to show us what they can do in terms of delivering for our area when they take over.”
MTR, which has also been chosen to run London’s new flagship Crossrail train network, has experience of delivering successful train services in Hong Kong, Melbourne and Stockholm. In Hong Kong, they have a punctuality record of 99%.
First MTR South Western Trains Limited, the new joint venture, will take over the London Waterloo to Portsmouth franchise on 20 August 2017.
Picture: Alan with MTR’s European Business Gillian Meller at their control room