NATIONAL Express East Anglia’s (NXEA) new €175 million Electrostar 379 trains are set to hit the rails next year but they will not be getting commuters on the Stansted Express line to London any faster.

The trains, which cost 155 million GBP, will travelling at exactly the speed as the current crop so the journey time into the capital will remain the same.

Electrostar 379 trains have a top speed of 100mph but will be limited to 80mph meaning customers will not reach their destination any faster than before.

Therefore commuters and tourists will still have to endure a 50 minute train journey to reach London Liverpool Street from Stansted Airport.

NXEA’s Operations and Planning Director Mark Phillips said: “The trains are not faster but their acceleration is better so they will pull away from the station quicker.

“However, the journey time will remain the same due to the number of stops the trains will have to make on the Stansted Express route – our busiest route - as it provides an essential service for commuters in London.”

What NXEA have tackled with the introduction of the Electrostar 379 is the amount of congestion on trains.

The Electrostar trains will be introduced to the Stansted Express line in March 2011 to compliment the existing fleet and will boast more seating and luggage space than its peers.

“The design of the train was determined and customised according to the route it will be on. This means there will be enhanced luggage room in standard and first class,” said Phillips.

The train also features Wi-Fi for both standard and first class seating as well as CCTV for increased customer security.

NXEA’s new crop will feature 30 trains; 20 of which will cover the Stansted Express line with the other 10 will cover the commuter route from Cambridge into the capital which stops at Audley End, Newport, Elsenham, Stansted Mountfitchet and Bishop’s Stortford.