A NUMBER of trains running to Taunton have been replaced with new rolling stock – providing over 80 per cent more seats per day.

Great Western Railway continues to modernise is services between Bristol Parkway and Weston-super-Mare, some benefits being seen on some services which extend to Taunton.

Former two-carriage trains have been replaced by three-carriage ‘turbo’ units with more seats, air conditioning, WiFi and improved toilets this week.

Each three-carriage turbo has 118 more seats per train than its two carriage predecessor, providing over 3,000 extra seats a day between Bristol Parkway and Weston-Super-Mare in total.

The upgrade marks the continuation of GWR’s plans to cascade diesel trains from the Thames Valley, and is an important milestone in increasing capacity for Bristol suburban services by 52 per cent.

GWR Managing Director Mark Hopwood said: “We know that our suburban Bristol services are some of our most in demand, and I am delighted to see even more of the improvements we promised coming into place.

“These trains from London and the Thames Valley will offer a significant change in passenger experience, and with the introduction of new Intercity Express Trains last week already carrying thousands of passengers, it also marks the continuation of the greatest fleet upgrade in in a generation for the people of Bristol.” 

The first three class 166 diesel trains began operating on the Severn Beach Line in July and a further two refreshed trains due to operate between Cardiff and Taunton (via Bristol) are coming soon.