We'll soon be introducing Arterio, our brand-new fleet of 90 trains that will transform travel on our Reading, Windsor and South West London suburban routes.
We’re investing a massive £1 billion in this new fleet of trains which will offer more capacity, quicker journey times and better reliability and punctuality for our customers.
The new fleet will be introduced as soon as possible, and we expect they’ll first enter service on the line to Windsor & Eton Riverside. We’re looking forward to our customers joining us on this exciting journey.
The Arterio fleet
The 750 carriage fleet is being built by Alstom in Derby and is being constructed using strong, but lightweight materials such as aluminium for the body shell.
Far more technologically advanced than the older trains they will replace, these modern trains have been designed and will be operated to improve performance for the hundreds of thousands of customers that use our suburban routes.
Our 90 strong-fleet strong of trains will carry more people, accelerate and brake more quickly to reduce journey times between destinations, whilst larger, driver operated doors will allow more customers to board and alight and thereby reduce dwell station times.
These trains will be more sustainable than the current fleet serving the suburban network, as regenerative braking means up to 30 per cent less energy is used, with electricity sent back into the conductor rail during braking.
Our investment will also provide a better onboard experience, with modern features that will allow customers to travel in more comfort and stay connected during their journeys.
Our investment also improves the onboard experience, with modern features allowing customers to travel in more comfort and to stay connected during their journeys.
The entire Arterio fleet will offer free onboard Wi-Fi so customers can answer emails and search the web on the go. Live on-train customer information systems will deliver real-time travel information, allowing our customers to plan their onward journeys whilst still onboard.
Fully accessible bioreactor Controlled Emission Toilets (CET), including for those using wheelchairs, will be available across the entire fleet. These types of toilets are the first to be rolled out on an entire UK fleet and are used in Europe, including the Netherlands and Switzerland.
CET toilets biologically and thermally treat waste to produce wastewater which is compliant with EU bathing water standards. Once the trains are introduced, there will be 1 toilet per every 5-car train and 2 per every 10-car train.
There will be several multi-use spaces available, where seating can be tipped up to accommodate prams or luggage, as well as overhead storage racks above the 2 by 2 seating. Dedicated wheelchair spaces will be available on each new Arterio train, with 2 and 4 spaces in every five-car and ten-car train respectively.
There will be dedicated cycle racks available across the fleet meaning customers can safely and conveniently store their bicycles. For every five-car train, 3 bike spaces will be made available for customers, and 6 spaces on every ten-car train.
Why the name Arterio?
Through Waterloo, the beating heart of our network, Arterio trains will carry our customers along the arteries of our suburban network to the capital - to work, to school, to restaurants, shops, bars and theatres – and home again.
Our former interim managing director Mark Hopwood, who introduced the first Arterio train we received for testing, explains in more detail:
