MORE than 100 new air conditioned train carriages will be trialled on the Brighton to Bedford line next month.

Govia Thameslink Railway (GTR) has bought 116 new carriages to replace the 27-year-old class 319 trains currently running on the line.

They will be trialled throughout December and into the new year with a view to becoming permanent replacements.

The new fleet, which has two-by-two seating, automated on-board service information and facilities for disabled people, was ordered in 2013.

Charles Horton, chief executive of GTR, said: “We took over the operation of the Thameslink route in September and already we are introducing new trains which will transform our passengers’ journeys on services between Bedford and Brighton.”

The news of the trial yesterday came as the company announced it has ordered 108 new carriages for the Gatwick Express service at a cost of £145.2 million.

The new trains, which will come into service in 2016, replace existing 1980s-built carriages.

They will be specially built to service the airport route with easier boarding, better luggage space, two-by-two seating and Wi Fi.

Mr Horton added: “This is great news for our Gatwick passengers, but also for those travelling from Brighton, as in the off-peak some of these trains will be extended there, while maintaining the fast connection between Victoria and Gatwick.”

Rail Minister Claire Perry welcomed the £317million investment.

She said: “These new British built trains are great news for passengers.

“They will transform journeys on the Gatwick Express and Thameslink routes and safeguard jobs a Bombardier’s Derby factory.

“As part of our long term economic plan over £38 billion is being invested in improving our railways over the next five years and it’s great to see companies like GTR investing in the service it provides for its customers.”

Govia Thameslink took over the Brighton to Bedford line this year replacing First Capital Connect who regularly found themselves at the bottom of customer satisfaction charts.

Work is to be carried out over the next four years could mean new destinations like Cambridge, King’s Lynn, Ashford and Eastbourne.