HS2 bosses in talks to scrap first-class seats

Operator considering the step to maintain passenger capacity because of train shortening

First-class seats could be removed from HS2 in order to avoid a drop in passenger capacity after Rishi Sunak scrapped the northern leg of the multi-billion-pound project.
The Prime Minister cut back proposals for Britain’s high-speed railway in October because of spiralling costs. 
A new railway will still be built between London and Birmingham, but HS2 trains will then be switched to the existing West Coast Mainline track from Birmingham to Manchester.
The revised plans mean there could be a reduction in seats from London to Manchester as HS2 trains are shorter than existing trains that travel along this route, according to an internal government document seen by the Financial Times.
The document suggests capacity could drop from 1,690 to 1,530 seats per hour between London and Manchester.
Increased capacity was one of the original aims of HS2. Three industry and government figures have told the Financial Times that HS2 is now looking at ways to address the fall in seat capacity, although no changes to contracts have yet been made. 
One option being considered is scrapping all first-class seats. A senior rail industry figure told the Financial Times: “They are serious about ripping out first class, it’s another nail in the coffin of this being some kind of superior rail service but it’s probably less embarrassing than ending up with a lower capacity.” 
Another industry executive said that giving up first-class seats would be “another downgrade” for the line and could potentially lower revenues.  
The planned extension to the stations in Crewe and to the station at Manchester Piccadilly have been scrapped, meaning HS2 trains travelling beyond Birmingham will have to be shorter than planned. 
Sir Jon Thompson, the project’s chair, told MPs earlier this month that HS2 trains will also be slower than the current Pendolinos because the new trains cannot tilt round bends.
“The HS2 train will go the same as a Pendolino on straight, 125mph, and round the bends it’ll go slower at 115mph. So an HS2 from Birmingham to Manchester, which of course would be almost entirely the West Coast Mainline, would go slower than the Pendelino, yes,” he said. 
The cost of building HS2 between London and Birmingham has leapt to £66bn.
Sir Jon said the official estimate ranges between £49m and £56.6bn but this was in 2019 prices. Adjusting for inflation would add an extra £10bn.
HS2 declined to comment.
The Department for Transport said no changes have been made to HS2 contracts. A statement said: “The contract to design and build HS2 trains includes both standard and first-class areas for passengers.”