‘Class 710’ electric trains were supposed to be running on the London Overground line between Barking and Gospel Oak last year but have been delayed due to a software issue.
“Three quarters of them are sitting in a factory in Derby built, ” said Jon Fox, the Director of Rail and Sponsored Services for Transport for London (Tfl).
“But they haven’t got safe or reliable software to allow us to run them.
“That’s the frustration for us all, we can see them but we can’t use them.”
The new models were expected almost a year ago.
They’re supplied by Bombardier, who are being pressed by the Mayor of London to provide them soon.
A months free travel has also been secured for customers, from the manufacturer, by the Mayor. It will come into effect once the new trains are fully functional.
This week a mixed service of older diesel and electric trains will be running instead, meaning some will only have two cars.
Tfl have extended the lease on the diesel trains twice already and if the new vehicles aren’t ready by March there could be more severe disruption to the line.
Once they arrive, each model will feature air conditioning and USB points where you can charge your phone.
Tags: Barking, Barking and Dagenham
