Southeastern Completes Upgrades on 112 Class 375 Trains Enhancing Customer Experience

Southeastern Railway has finished upgrading its Class 375 trains, now featuring at-seat power, USB points, and energy-efficient lighting, part of a broader initiative to modernize the fleet.

 

Southeastern has announced the completion of customer-focused enhancements across its entire fleet of 112 Class 375 'Electrostar' trains, which serve routes in Kent, East Sussex, and mainline London stations. This upgrade is part of a comprehensive multi-million-pound initiative aimed at improving the travel experience for its passengers.

Key upgrades include the installation of at-seat power sockets, complete with USB points, enabling passengers to easily charge devices such as smartphones, laptops, and tablets while traveling. This feature is especially beneficial for commuters and leisure travelers who need to stay connected on the move.

Additionally, the trains now boast new LED lighting systems that not only enhance the brightness within carriages but also significantly reduce energy consumption by up to 75%. This shift not only improves the ambiance but also aligns with Southeastern’s commitment to environmental sustainability.

Mark Johnson, Southeastern’s Engineering Director, highlighted the significance of these enhancements, stating, “This £10m investment in our trains helps us deliver better journeys on our mainline routes connecting London with Kent and East Sussex. We know how much our customers value being able to plug in or charge up their devices while on the move. The new LED lighting and energy meters also help us with our energy efficiency and support our drive to reduce costs wherever possible.”

Furthering their commitment to efficiency, Southeastern has installed energy meters on 42 trains that previously lacked this technology, allowing for more precise tracking of energy usage and operational costs.

The upgrades were systematically implemented, with two trains per week being outfitted by a dedicated team of 10 at Southeastern’s Ashford Train Maintenance Centre. The team worked around the clock on a five-shift schedule to ensure minimal disruption to services.

Paul Sutherland, Client Services Director at Eversholt Rail, expressed satisfaction with the project's completion, remarking, “It is fantastic these upgrades to our Class 375 fleet are now completed and available to customers across the Southeastern network. We are delighted to continue to work in partnership with Southeastern to improve our fleets and deliver an improved passenger experience.”

This series of upgrades is just one component of Southeastern’s broader effort to enhance and future-proof its train services, ensuring that passengers enjoy a more comfortable and sustainable journey.