Slam door trains have to be replaced by 2004

New trains have improved travelling environments, but most were introduced late and delays will continue, the public accounts committee predicted.

Many of the new trains have proved less reliable than the old ones, it said.

Passengers should be given more of a chance to comment on the design of the new trains being brought in, it added.

Problems in bringing new trains into service result from the fragmented nature of the rail industry, the committee said.

Since rail privatisation in 1996, the 25 train operating companies which provide rail services have ordered some 4,500 new vehicles worth �4.2bn.

Closer working

This has been in an attempt to meet the statutory requirement to take all - some 2,000 - slam door trains out of service by December 2004.

"Several organisations are involved in getting a new train in to service and there is a range of contractual and quasi -contractual relationships between them," the report said.

Three rolling stock leasing companies have funded the purchase of the trains and then leased them to the train operating companies through complicated contractual arrangements.

The committee said they should be required to work "more closely" with manufacturers and passenger representative to ensure the new trains meet passengers' needs.

Accessibility

Many of the new trains have not been fully accessible for people with disabilities, the report said.

The government has announced the results of its rail review since the committee did its work. Plans include the abolition of the Strategic Rail Authority.

Committee chairman Edward Leigh said the authority's strategic functions were to move to the department of transport:

"It is the department that must now take the lead on implementing my committee's recommendations, and take decisive action to ensure new trains are reliable and fully meet the needs of passengers and are introduced on time," he said.