Wimbledon MP Gets Answers on SWR’s £1bn Trains Stuck in Storage

SWR’s long-awaited Arterio fleet remains stuck in limbo at Clapham Junction due to a shortage of trained drivers, while passengers continue to face packed carriages and unreliable services during peak hours. 

Only 5 of 90 new Arterio trains due in 2019 are currently in service. SWR spent £1bn on this fleet to ease overcrowding, but commuters continue to suffer while trains sit idle at Clapham Junction. 

Earlier this week, an SWR spokesperson had refused to give a date when the trains would finally be operational. 

In Parliament yesterday, Paul Kohler MP raised the issue, and asked Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander what steps the government would take to finally launch the trains into service.

In her response, Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander committed to resolving these issues by 25th May, when SWR trains are brought into Government ownership. 

She cited issues around lighting on platforms, and guards on trains, as causes of ongoing delays. 

Liberal Democrat MP for Wimbledon, Paul Kohler said:

“Commuters will be thrilled to finally have an answer as to when they can expect to see the benefits of this substantial investment. 

I'm pleased to finally have a commitment to resolve this by May from the Transport Secretary."

Sources

South Western Railway (SWR) operates services across southwest England, including key commuter routes through Putney Station. 

The Arterio fleet, designated as Class 701 trains, was commissioned to replace aging rolling stock, promising increased capacity and modern amenities. However, the fleet has faced significant delays, now running five years behind schedule. Of the 90 new trains ordered at a cost of £1 billion, only five are currently in regular use. The remaining units remain idle due to ongoing driver training shortages and previous manufacturing and software issues, delaying much-needed service improvements for commuters. 

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