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Liverpool Echo
Liverpool Echo
World
Remy Greasley

Merseyrail address passengers' concerns over 'missing' feature on new trains

Merseyrail have explained why one thing has been left off their new trains.

The new £500m Merseyrail 777 trains are currently being rolled out across parts of the network. The trains are yet to be rolled out across the Wirral and Hunts Cross lines but are being used by passengers on the Kirkby and Ormskirk lines. The updated trains feature a new layout, with USB ports and plugs beneath the seats and platform-level boarding for those with mobility problems.

The trains, a "very positive improvement" on the last for many commuters, have received positive feedback according to Merseyrail. However, some have been left asking why one thing has been left out.

READ MORE: Metro Mayor says complaints about new trains are 'first world problems'

We asked commuters what they thought about the new Merseyrail trains and some said the lack of toilet or baby changing facilities is an "inconvenience" and said the trains should have been fitted with the facilities.

One commenter, Adamev96, a type-one Diabetic, said: "I think they should've been fitted with toilets and baby changing facilities as most modern trains are nowadays. I know that most Merseyrail journeys tend to be short and the frequency is high, but it is a massive inconvenience for those who for medical reasons or something else can't just 'hold it in'.

"I also need them from time to time as they provide a space for me to take my blood sugars and sort myself out being a T1 Diabetic."

Another commenter, HarryKellerman, said: "No toilets again. Can be a rather fraught journey back from Chester after one or two beers."

The rule of thumb in the rail industry for considering providing a toilet is for average journeys of an hour. One commuter on the Ormskirk line complained that "despite journeys of over half an hour" there are "still no toilets."

Merseyrail have explained why one thing has been left off their new trains. (Colin Lane/Liverpool Echo)

Mothasreturn said: "All that money and no toilets." To which 'trainuser' replied: "There shouldn't"

Greg Suligowski, head of customer strategy at Merseyrail said: "Merseyrail operates a metro style rail service which means that our passengers typically travel with us for short amounts of time. When coupled with the short distance between stops and toilets at many of the stations on our network, this has meant that we've not offered on board toilet facilities.

"As part of the train design process, we carried out extensive passenger research alongside the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority and Transport focus. The research found that only 4% of over 600 passengers interviewed identified toilet provision as a priority.

"As a result of this research, the train has been designed with an on-board digital passenger information system which shows where toilets are available at the upcoming stations on your journey."

There is still time to tell us your opinion of the new trains.

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