Why HS2 may have first, second AND third-class carriages: 'Premium' coaches for wealthy travellers among options being considered for new trains
- HS2 trains could have 'premium' carriages for the wealthy
- It is one of several options being considered for high-speed rail system
- The 650ft-long trains will link London, Manchester, Leeds and Birmingham
The high-speed HS2 trains could have three carriage classes to attract business commuters, it has emerged.
The 650ft-long trains linking London, Birmingham, Leeds and Manchester could have ‘premium’ carriages with space for wealthy travellers who want to work undisturbed.
Plans under consideration include splitting the carriages into three sections: standard coaches with five seats across a carriage, first-class carriages with three seats across and luxury carriages with as few as two seats in a row.
HS2 Ltd is considering a number of options for the project including premium cars for wealthy travellers
The design is just one of several options under consideration by HS2 Ltd – the Government-funded body in charge of the project – but experts consider the three-tier model is likely to be adopted as it is already used in China and parts of Europe.
A similar system was proposed for the East Coast mainline in 2013, triggering unions to claim the rail industry was being dragged back to the 1950s – the last time that ‘third-class’ carriages were used.
But ministers said the scheme was no different from the class system on aeroplanes, with a ‘business’ or ‘premium economy’ class between first class and economy.
Eurostar trains currently have three classes – business premier, standard premier and standard – but there is no physical difference between the coaches of the two premier classes, business customers pay more for extra services and complimentary items.
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A source close to the HS2 project said a similar system ‘might work’ in Britain, but it was too early for any detail to have been agreed.
Campaigner Richard Houghton, of HS2 Action Alliance, said: ‘It has always been clear that HS2 will be a rich man’s train.
‘No high speed railway in the world runs without charging a 20 per cent premium.’
A detailed look at where HS2 will cover and how journey times will differ compared to current trains
He added: ‘With rail fares jumping by 25 per cent between 2010 and 2015 and with no sign of this slowing it’s clear HS2 is a political vanity project that will benefit the very few that can afford what will be eye-wateringly high fares.’
An HS2 spokesman said: ‘No decisions have been taken about the layout. We are looking at options and will confirm in the spring.’
The first phase of HS2 will link London to the West Midlands and is due to be completed in 2026, with the second phase due to extend the line north to Leeds and Manchester by 2033.
Yesterday it was revealed that French firm Alstom is an early favourite to win a £4million contract to build HS2’s first trains.
COMMUTER PAYS £6k A YEAR...TO SIT NEXT TO A MOP
The city worker pictured sitting next to a bucket
Squeezing into a tiny compartment next to mops, this commuter pays £6,208 a year for his season ticket.
But he considers himself lucky to have found a seat on his daily train home at all.
The City worker discovered the bolthole after becoming frustrated at the increasingly packed carriages on his rush-hour journey from London Liverpool Street to Ipswich every night.
The man, who asked not to be named, said: ‘I use this quite often – but it isn’t great.’
However a spokesman for rail operator Abellio Greater Anglia said the compartment may be closed off in future, as it is meant to be used by staff only.
Yesterday Tory Ipswich MP Ben Gummer said the image highlighted the conditions travellers have to put up with.
He said: ‘This shows exactly why we need hundreds of millions of pounds invested.'
Mr Gummer added: ‘It is not right that people who pay a large amount for season tickets should feel the need to sit like this.’
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