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There’s good news today for commuters after it was announced several new trains will start running on the network from next month.
Two new Class 377 trains will enter service in Kent in December, with a further 11 to follow before the end of 2025.
They will mainly be used to replace older Networker trains on the Maidstone East and Tunbridge Wells lines.
Southeastern said the new trains would help it provide a more reliable service as it looks to expand its timetable, as well as providing a more comfortable experience for passengers with air-conditioning, on-seat USB plugs and better signage.
Sophie Barker, head of major programmes at Southeastern, said: “The arrival of these trains is a key milestone in our ongoing work to provide a more reliable service by modernising our fleet.
"The Class 377s have better acceleration and braking than the Networkers they're replacing.
“The 13 new units will join the 23 existing Class 377s already operated by Southeastern.”
Meanwhile, Southeastern’s £27m project to refurbish its highspeed trains continues.
As of today, 22 of the 29 Class 395s have now received a full interior refresh, including new seats and carpets, LED lighting, and USB at-seat charging.Southeastern runs 1,700 services a day visiting 181 stations across Kent, south-east London and East Sussex. It also operates the UK's only domestic high-speed service. The company is owned by the Department for Transport through its public sector company, DOHL.