Modern air-conditioned trains take over King’s Lynn route as Great Northern services are doubled at Ely

22 May 2017: Great Northern, run by Govia Thameslink Railway, today replaced all the trains between King's Lynn and Cambridge with modern, air-conditioned carriages, just in time for summer. And in the next few months, passengers will be able to log on to free Wi-Fi.

At the same time, Great Northern doubled the service at Ely station and introduced a twice-hourly service between London King’s Cross and the new station at Cambridge North.

Govia Thameslink Railway Infrastructure Director Keith Jipps said:

“These cool trains are a refreshing change for our passengers along the route to King’s Lynn. We think people will really click with the free Wi-Fi that we’ll be adding in the coming months and the on-board information systems and power points at every pair of seats.

“Parents with buggies, passengers with luggage and people with restricted mobility will also welcome the train’s accessible toilets and designated areas for wheelchair users. This is part of a plan to replace three-quarters of our trains by 2020 – in just a few short years, we’ll be moving from one of the oldest fleets in the country to one of the newest.”

New station

The arrival of the new trains, on 21 May, coincides with the opening of a new station, Cambridge North.

Keith added:

“With two Great Northern trains an hour from King’s Cross to the new station, it’s never been easier for companies from the UK and across the globe to do business at the renowned Cambridge Business Park.

“Our service will support the economic growth of Cambridgeshire by attracting commercial and residential development to the area.”

40% more seats at Ely

One of the Cambridge North trains will continue on to Ely, giving Ely a half hourly Great Northern service in each direction all day, which adds over 3,300 more seats across the day (40% more) by doubling the frequency in the off-peak and plugging service gaps at this station in the peak.

Keith said:

“This should ease crowding on the King's Lynn services which will be a real boon for our passengers.”

King's Lynn itself will have an extra early off-peak service at 09.30 via Cambridge North but otherwise trains here will run to the same timetable as before.

Ends

Notes to editors

Network Rail is working towards completing upgrades by the end of next year which would let Great Northern double the length of trains from King’s Lynn to eight carriages. Tis would then allow these trains to stop at Cambridge North.

For more information email press.office@gtrailway.com or call the Great Northern press office: 0203 750 2031