§ Mr. Harry GreenwayTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether he will approve British Rail's proposal to order new rolling stock for the lines from Marylebone; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. PortilloMy right hon. Friend today gave approval for the first of a new generation of inner suburban diesel vehicles for Network SouthEast services out of Marylebone. A total of 77 new class 165 Networker Turbo vehicles will be ordered at a cost of £39 million. Services on the lines currently employ late 1950's vintage stock, all of which will be replaced. Delivery of the first new stock is expected in October 1990.
These new vehicles will bring great benefits to the increasing number of passengers who travel into Marylebone. The new vehicles will be faster, more comfortable, and offer greater reliability than those that they replace.