Bullet train for commuters

How the new train would look.

The prospect of 140mph commuter "bullet" trains serving London moved a step closer today.

Rail chiefs have signed a £250million deal with Hitachi to supply 28 of the trains for commuter services from Ashford in Kent via Ebbsfleet and Stratford into the new international station at King's Cross/St Pancras.

The deal is a boost for London's bid to host the Olympic Games in 2012.

The trains will run between the Eurostar international trains, which can reach speeds of up to 186mph, and will come into service in 2009 - two years after the link into London opens for direct services to Paris and Brussels.

Brian Cooke, chairman of the London Transport Users Committee, said: "After long delays the deal has now been signed which will provide much-needed high-speed commuter services from Kent. It will provide relief for Kent commuters on some of the most overcrowded routes in the UK."

Commuters, however, are warned that tickets on the new high-speed service will cost up to 30 per cent more than those for slower existing routes.

The deal was signed between the Strategic Rail Authority and its financier, HSBC Rail (UK) Ltd and Hitachi Europe Ltd. The service will be operatedby one of four bidders vying to take over the Kent and South-Eastern rail franchise following the sacking of Connex 18 months ago. A decision will be made this autumn.

The new trains, costing ?9 million each, will trim 40 minutes off journey times between London and Ashford, while travelling between Ebbsfleet and the capital will take only 15 minutes.

If London's Olympic bid is successful, the trains will provide shuttle services between St Pancras and the proposed Olympic stadium in Stratford.

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