Final tests and driver training on the fleet driver are taking place between Kirkby and the town’s new £80m station at Headbolt Lane, which is due to open later this year.
Steve Rotheram, Mayor of the Liverpool City Region, said, “This is not only a massive milestone for our area, but for the entire country, as our new publicly owned, battery powered trains enter final testing.
“Our trains will be the first of their kind in the country, fitted with pioneering battery technology that will help us to significantly reduce our carbon footprint and pave the way for a cleaner, greener, and better-connected London-style transport network.
“As a Kirkby native, I’ve heard talk about a new station at Headbolt Lane for as long as I can remember. Thanks to devolution, we’ve invested £80m to turn that dream into delivery. Extending our train network is a key part of my Merseyrail for All pledge to connect previously underserved parts of our community to our rail network – bringing them closer to new opportunities and each other,” Rotheram added.
The news follows the launch of the region’s new £500m fleet earlier this year. Designed in consultation with the public, the new fleet is among the most sophisticated and accessible in the country featuring slide step technology and other smart features, as well as additional space for wheelchair users and prams.
The battery technology, which enables the trains to run without the need for a third rail, will initially be fitted on seven of the city region’s state-of-the-art class 777 trains.
It marks a significant step towards the realization of the Mayor’s Merseyrail for All ambition to connect more people across the region to more opportunities via an extended rail network.
The technology could enable the Merseyrail network to extend across all six city region boroughs to places like Rainhill in St Helens, and Widnes in Halton, including possible links to places such as Wrexham, Warrington, and Runcorn.