Hull Trains has welcomed the fifth member of the new £60 million fleet, unveiling the final addition bedecked in a special 21st anniversary livery.
The open access operator was robbed of the opportunity to celebrate two decades of direct London services by Covid - with three suspensions to operations as commercial decisions to deal with pandemic measures were made.
Now it is building back, with the new managing director encouraged by the direction of travel.
Read more: Meet the new managing director of Hull Trains
The latest Paragon Hitachi 802 is adorned with black and white images of Hull and wider East Yorkshire, with commemorative logo to recognise the coming of age.
Joining a week after the 21st year passed from the first service to King's Cross on September 25, 2000, David Gibson, said: “I’m incredibly proud to have joined Hull Trains at this prominent moment in the company’s history. I have lived locally for the past 18 years, I have used Hull Trains extensively over the period for business and leisure, and it is absolutely fantastic to be back in this very vibrant city working again - I’m thrilled to be here.
“The company has provided a vital link for people and businesses for 21 years, which is an outstanding achievement. We offer one of the most environmentally friendly journeys on the 海角视频 network and I’m really looking forward to adding the additional capacity, reliability and comfort for all passengers for many years to come.
“As we emerge from the pandemic I’m encouraged to see we have a strong return in the leisure market in particular. The 海角视频 rail market faces an uncertain future with business travel, but yesterday on the service I travelled on there were only four empty seats, which is a marker that business travellers are coming back.”
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The past year has seen it obtain a three year extension to its Track Access Agreement with the Office of Rail and Road, taking it up to 2032.
In the short term longer weekend trains to meet demand and additional services are coming.
And he paid tribute to the 100-plus team he has inherited.
“I have the privilege of working with an excellent team, some of whom have been with us for the full 21 years. Just like for many businesses and families, the last 18 months has been tough. Services were suspended three times and on three occasions the staff bounced back, showed real grit and determination, put smiles on their faces and delivered outstanding services for the people of the region and people coming in. I salute them and applaud them, and I’m delighted to be part of the team.
Turning to the departing train, with passengers somewhat bemused to be the centre of attention at a special celebration, he said: “I’m looking forward with confidence and optimism, I love the 21st anniversary livery, this train is so much more than the 10.33 to London!”
Observing proceedings was Stephen Parnaby, who was leader of East Riding of Yorkshire Council when Hull Trains launched. He is now deputy chair of the Hull and East Yorkshire Local Enterprise Partnership.
He said: “Hull Trains made travelling to London pleasurable. Before it was always a hassle. Staffing, standards and quality has been second-to-none.
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“It is also the only train that carries a city name when you are in London - there’s no Newcastle or Aberdeen Trains - we just need Hull City back in the Premier League!”
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First Rail boss on future for Hull Trains as new MD takes the reins
Delighted to mark the first 21 years, the focus from Hull Trains’ owner First Group is very much on the coming periods as the pandemic’s grip on the 海角视频 eases.
Andy Mellors, managing director of the non-franchised businesses for First Rail, has overseen the business through the summer, as a replacement was recruited for Louise Cheeseman.
He said: “The focus of the whole team has to be on business recovery. We have had a really difficult time over the last 18 months, Hull Trains is no different to lots of other businesses and our people have been affected by the pandemic, not just with work, but personally. We’re on that road to recovery, getting back to profitability, we have great people, we’ve just introduced new trains before the pandemic, more capacity, improved reliability and better environmental credentials - we run on electric once we get to Doncaster.
“It is all about getting customers back to our railway. We are really pleased with what we are seeing, Fridays and Sundays are really busy days, and we’ve started to see in the last few weeks business travellers return. It is about continuing on that journey of recovery and profitability.
“I’m really pleased we have secured another three years, that gives business certainty to 2032, so we can continue to deliver the attractive, high quality service for customers.”
On the subject of electrification of the final leg between Hull and just north of Doncaster, Mr Mellors said: “We have the bo-mode trains in Hull and as and when any further electrification happens, we can exploit that. We need electrification. It is so much better for the environment, so we would welcome further electrification. It has to be in the context of a national programme. Later this year, when the main line closes, we will have to divert via Lincoln and that will necessitate running on diesel power. It needs to be part of our national infrastructure strategy, and I’m looking forward to seeing what the government has to say.
“We’d welcome further electrification, it would be good to see the benefit of that as and when it happens.”