Transport minister Chris Mole has named a National Express class 321 ‘The Essesx Commuter’ during a short ceremony at Liverpool Street station.

The naming is in recognition of the first stage of National Express East Anglia’s Service Improvement Plan, introduced last month. The plan has initially seen approximately 5,700 extra seats created on some of the rail operator’s busiest routes. The main thrust of the plan, part of the deal that NXEA did with the DfT last April, will see 120 new carriages constructed and 68 refurbished carriages added to the fleet. 

The new carriages will enter service in 2011 and the first of the refurbished carriages  entered service last month , with the balance being put into service next December.

Chris Mole said  ” The Government is investing £173m in the first of several major improvements we have built into this franchise  which will deliver real benefits for commuters.”

Chris Mole names a class 321 'The Essex Commuter' at Liverpool Street station. Picture: www.upmain.com