THE DEPARTMENT FOR TRANSPORT has announced it has safeguarded investment in new carriages for UK trains.
Following the government spending review, transport secretary Philip Hammond said a total of 2,100 new carriages would be added to the rail network by May 2019.
This is 650 more than had previously been proposed, which Hammond said he hoped would reduce overcrowding. He said the new carriages would help to make the UK's railways "fit for the 21st century".
"At a time of severe pressure on public spending, it would be tempting to cut back on investment in our railways, but we cannot afford not to invest in Britain's future," he said.
Capita Business Travel's head of strategic business development, Raj Sachdave, welcomed the announcement.
He said: "Overall, it's great news - a lot better than the industry had expected. This will help to ease overcrowding and allow more creativity with ticket types and prices.
"With more seats available there will be more opportunity to book advance fares, helping to combat the eye-watering fare increases in the New Year."
Hammond confirmed the £6 billion Thameslink project would go ahead, improving links between the north and south-east of London. Funding for the Crossrail project was given the go-ahead earlier this year.