First SWR's Arterio in service

On 9 January 2024 first customers got to experience SWR’s new Class 701 Arterio EMUs. The trip to Windsor and back is the first step in the phased roll-out of the full 90 strong train fleet later this year. SWR teams are working hard to build on this important milestone as the operators  prepares for the full roll out of Arterios, firstly on the Windsor route and then across its suburban network.

These trains will be deliver more capacity and better performance, all with accessible toilets, wi-fi, charging points, air conditioning and walk through carriages to improve passenger‘s journeys. The 750 car fleet is being built by Alstom in Derby and is being constructed using aluminium bodyshells.

To date, SWR has accepted 71 of 90 Class 701 units from Alstom. Currently there is one 10-car Arterio in traffic each weekday on the Waterloo - Windsor route, although the operator is rotating between two to three various units daily.