GREATER Anglia has officially launched its new set of trains.

Modern longer state-of-the-art bi-mode trains are now in service on the Greater Anglia network, three years after the contract was signed to buy 58 trains from Stadler.

The bi-mode trains, powered by diesel and electricity, are replacing all of Greater Anglia’s existing diesel trains on rural routes.

Jamie Burles, Greater Anglia managing director said: “Our customers are telling us they think our new trains are amazing. We promised new trains would improve their journeys and that’s exactly what they’re doing.

“Feedback has been brilliant. Customers love the USB and plug points, the improved accessibility, the longer trains with more seats, the smooth, quiet ride and the comfortable seats.

“We’ve now got new trains in service on the Norwich-Great Yarmouth-Lowestoft and Norwich-Cambridge routes and we’re looking forward to rolling them out across the rest of the network.”

Greater Anglia is getting 38 bi-mode trains, which include 24 four-carriage trains and 14 three-carriage trains, which will run between Marks Tey and Sudbury among other places.

The company is also getting 20 electric trains from Stadler, ten for the intercity route between Norwich and London Liverpool Street and ten for the Stansted Express service between London Liverpool Street and Stansted Airport.

Each train is longer with more seats, air conditioning, plug and USB points, six cycle spaces and improved passenger information screens.

The trains have lower floors, with sliding steps at every door which bridge the gap between the train and the platform, making it easier to get on and off the train with wheelchairs and pushchairs.