HS2 replaced with Dacia Sandero train

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【Summary】The HS2 rail link between London and Birmingham will be replaced with a train of Dacia Sanderos, according to the government. This cost-effective alternative will save billions and may allow for the continuation of the Phase 2 leg to Manchester. Although the Sandero train will not reach the promised speeds of HS2, it will have exclusive use of the hard shoulder, allowing passengers to bypass traffic.

FutureCar Staff Sep 29, 2023 11:17 PM PT

The HS2 rail link between London and Birmingham is set to be completely scrapped and replaced with a train made up of Dacia Sanderos, according to an announcement by the government. This decision is expected to significantly reduce the cost of the project, potentially freeing up funds for the Phase 2 leg to Manchester. While the Sandero train will not be able to reach the high speeds initially promised by HS2, passengers will have the advantage of using the hard shoulder on the M1 and M6, allowing them to mock the drivers stuck in traffic.

Transport chiefs believe that this unconventional solution will make commuters and voters forget about the originally promised journey times of 52 minutes between London and Birmingham. The insider who shared this information stated that replacing HS2 with a train of Sanderos solves all their problems, as it will be completed under budget and will not require the destruction of green belt areas. Additionally, maintaining a Sandero is much easier compared to a state-of-the-art train carriage. However, there will not be any food or drinks service on the Sandero train.

When asked about the possibility of the Manchester leg going ahead as planned, the insider expressed uncertainty due to the need to fix numerous potholes in the north. They also mentioned that a spare wheel for a standard Sandero costs £300, so the cost-effectiveness of the Manchester leg is still being evaluated.