Concerns Over HS2 Train Size Changes and Their Impact on Capacity

The UK government's plans to modify the size of the High-Speed 2 (HS2) trains have raised concerns about potential increases in costs, reduced seating capacity, and slower services, particularly for routes north of Birmingham. The £2 billion order for 54 high-speed trains, manufactured by a joint venture of Alstom and Hitachi, is currently under review as HS2 Ltd seeks to cut costs and renegotiate contracts. Originally, the order included 200-meter-long eight-carriage units, which were intended to be doubled into 16-carriage trains, similar to Eurostar services. However, due to the cancellation of the northern leg of HS2 by Prime Minister Rishi Sunak in 2023, this plan has been significantly altered.

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Chris Gibb, a non-executive director of the Department for Transport Operator (DFTO), has expressed concerns that reducing the train size could lead to fewer seats and slower services. He noted that the existing Pendolino trains, currently operating on the west coast main line, are longer and faster than the proposed HS2 trains. Gibb warned that if HS2 were to replace the 11-coach Pendolinos with eight-coach trains, it would likely result in overcrowding from day one. He suggested that the government should maintain the original train order to avoid incurring additional costs and delays associated with contract changes.

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Gibb proposed an alternative plan to replace the current Pendolino fleet with longer, faster, modern trains, which he believes would enhance capacity and reduce journey times without necessitating further railway construction. Lord McLoughlin, a former transport secretary, acknowledged the current predicament as a "tragedy" but questioned whether Gibb's proposal would lead to significant cost savings. Meanwhile, Lord Berkeley, a long-time HS2 skeptic, supported Gibb's idea, advocating for a consistent type of rolling stock to ensure flexibility in operations.

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Despite the ongoing discussions about potential changes to the train order, HS2 Ltd has stated that no modifications have been made to the original contract with the Hitachi-Alstom joint venture. A spokesperson emphasized that they are still collaborating with the manufacturer and the Department for Transport to finalize train designs ahead of production. The Department for Transport reiterated that the original order remains unchanged, while also acknowledging the need to reset HS2's schedule and budget to manage the program effectively.

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There is speculation regarding whether the HS2 train order will be amended during the anticipated reset of HS2's schedule and budget discussions. However, the lack of definitive information on the potential changes leaves uncertainty regarding the future of the HS2 project and its impact on rail services in the north.

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• “no doubt that if HS2 opened by replacing 11-coach Pendolinos with eight-coach trains these would be full and leave people behind on day one” — Chris Gibb, Non-Executive Director, DFTO

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• “it’s a tragedy where we are now” — Lord McLoughlin, Former Transport Secretary

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• “It could be 2040 or 2050 [when services began]. Let’s have one consistent type of rolling stock so you can keep using them in any circumstances.” — Lord Berkeley, HS2 Skeptic

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