First look inside the new Merseyrail trains

The Local Democracy Reporting Service was among the first allowed inside the new trains for the Merseyrail network, bought by the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority at a cost of £460m.

Custom-built by manufacturer Stadler in Switzerland, the new trains will be tested on our region's tracks before staff are trained on them and they enter service later in the year.

Metro mayor Steve Rotheram said this morning that the new trains heralded a move towards his aim of creating “a London-style integrated transport system” as he promised announcement on the future of the region’s bus network next month.

He said: "What we want is a region where public trasnport is a quality alternative.

"We want people to ditch their cars not because they have been forced to but because there are good alternatives for them to use to get around."

Metro mayor Rotheram thanked Merseytravel’s David Powell, who is leading the introduction of the trains, and those at the combined authority and Stadler who had been involved in the project.

There will eventually be 54 new trains on the Merseyrail network – here are some of the things we learned about them.

We all own them

Although the trains will be operated by Merseyrail, which is a private company, the trains have been bought by the combined authority and are therefore the property of the taxpayer.

That is a big step in giving the combined authority more of a stake in our region’s rail network and could potentially pave the way for further involvement.

Metro mayor Rotheram spoke at today and at his recent re-election campaign launch about wanting to give the public sector more say in how our region’s transport system works – this is a step in that direction.

They could be the start of a new look transport network

Part of metro mayor Rotheram's plan for a 'London-style’ transport network is for better integration between trains, buses and ferries – and easier ticketing to allow passengers to move between them.

However newer facilities also form part of the plans.

Hydrogen bus fleets are expected to come into use this year on our streets, and the combined authority is also hoping to move further with the process of replacing the ageing Mersey Ferries in the coming months.

There's no more stepping up to get on

Aside from a very different appearance, the first thing many passengers may notice on the new trains is that they're easier to get on.

Wheelchair users on our region’s trains currently need the assistance of station staff and a ramp to get on the train, while those who struggle with steps sometimes struggle with the gap between the train and the platform at some stations.

That is all set to change, with the new trains having a step that extends out to meet the platform, removing the gap and making it easier to get on and off.

No more doors between carriages

Once onboard, passengers will notice that you can see all the way down the new trains.

While the current trains have two doors separating each carriage, the new ones have no separation between cars.

That not only lets people walk up and down the full length of the train more easily but provides much needed extra space for passengers.

More space for wheelchair users, bikes and prams

Things are also significantly easier for anyone with reduced mobility once they get on the train.

They are also the first trains in the UK where two passengers in wheelchairs will be able to ride next to one another as opposed to using different wheelchair areas.

Aisles on the train have been widened, meaning a wheelchair should be able to travel down

For train riders with prams or bikes, the areas for storing them have also been improved.

There's Wifi – and you can charge your phone

In a major change from the trains we have now, the new trains should have Wifi throughout, meaning commuters will be able to use the internet.

And charging should also become easier, with ports underneath seats and in walls of the train with both USB and plug adaptors.

Some seats still face one another

Take a ride on a lot of modern trains and you’ll often find pairs of seats all facing in one direction on either side of the aisle – but Merseyrail's current fleet has pairs of seats facing one another.

And while the new trains do have some seats like that, the combined authority say that when they asked people in our region what they wanted from the new trains many people said they still wanted some seats in the old format.

That means anyone travelling in groups of four will still be able to sit facing one another.

There are more carriages

Trains on the Merseyrail network at the moment are three carriages most of the time, with six car services during peak times.

The new trains will be longer, with either four or eight car services.

That’s one of the reasons why work has had to take place on platforms at stations to make sure they can accommodate the new fleets.

There’s space for more passengers

The longer trains, wider aisles and lack of doors between carriages all mean capacity on the new trains will be higher.

It’s hoped that will help cope with an expected increase in ridership on the Merseyrail network over the coming years as more people switch to public transport.

And the driver gets more room as well

The driver’s cabin on the new trains is also larger than the current fleet, meaning they’re more comfortable and ensuring drivers can focus fully without distraction.