Operator spends £3.6m on refreshing trains

Rail operator Greater Thameslink Railway (GTR) is spending £3.6m on refreshing some of its trains.

The operator, which was bought under government control at the end of May, is cleaning the exterior of 115 trains - a total of 46km (28.5 miles) in length.

As well as the outside of trains, toilets onboard will be repainted and new wall vinyls will be fitted in an attempt to deter graffiti. GTR said this measure would also make it easier to clean graffiti from walls.

The trains operate in Kent, Sussex, Surrey, London, Hertfordshire, Bedfordshire and Cambridgeshire, with the majority of the work to be undertaken at the depot in Three Bridges.

The works follow on from a previous upgrade to Southern trains, also operated by GTR.

As well as cleaning trains, GTR said it had also committed to recruiting more train drivers to reduce delays, improved communications, upgrading infrastructure and hiring travel safety officers.

A spokesperson said it was one of a number of improvements being made ahead of the formal establishment of Great British Railways in 2027.

Rail Minister Lord Peter Hendy said: "These improvements show how passengers are being prioritised under public ownership and, as we move towards Great British Railways, making sure that travelling by train is a comfortable and positive experience."

GTR's interim CEO John Whitehurst said: "By making our trains more attractive, we will encourage more people to choose rail across the vast Thameslink network, connecting communities as far apart as Cambridge and Brighton."

Follow BBC Surrey on Facebook, on X. Send your story ideas to southeasttoday@bbc.co.uk or WhatsApp us on 08081 002250.