Hull Trains’ new Paragon fleet has significantly enhanced the open access operator’s environmental credentials.
The £60 million investment in the five-strong high-tech Hitachi models has seen a 64 per cent reduction in CO2 emissions - a figure that could be brought down even further should the Hull to Selby leg of the direct link to London be electrified.
Study results from the First Group entity's first six months in service come as the rail industry prepares to show its green credentials as part of COP26 Transport Day on November 10.
Read more: £60m fleet completion the perfect gift for Hull Trains' 21st anniversary
The Hitachi 802 ‘Paragon’ is powered by both diesel and electricity, and replaced the 180 fleets in 2019.
David Gibson, managing director, has just returned Hull Trains to pre-pandemic service levels, with December to set a new record.
He said: “Travelling by train is the greenest form of public transport and one single train journey can remove up to 500 cars from the road. By investing in trains that can operate using both electricity and diesel, Hull Trains made an investment not only in improved customer experience but also in making the towns and cities we serve cleaner and healthier.
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"Travelling by train makes up 10 per cent of journeys but only 1 per cent of travel emissions. The next challenge of course is to get that CO2 emissions number even lower, and I will be working with the fleet and the operational teams to make this happen.
“Everyone at Hull Trains is working towards the same goal of reducing the impact on our environment and making a real difference to future generations.”
A We Mean Green campaign, promoted by the Rail Delivery Group, aims to champion the benefits of train travel to both delegates and the general public next week.
Mr Gibson added his support to the push for electrification of Hull to Selby last month, underlining how it would allow the pantograph to be put to use for the entire journey, rather than from Temple Hirst Junction south.
Fears have been expressed the proposal could be lost in the Covid-19 cash clawback by the Treasury. Strategic rail plans for the North are anticipated soon, with the Budget suggesting publication of the plan is imminent.
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