Two senior Hull MPs have written to rail companies that serve the city, urging them to invest in battery electric trains when they invest in their fleets.
Dame Diana Johnson and Emma Hardy called on Hull Trains and Northern to follow TransPennine Express, which recently announced a £1bn in bi-mode trains to serve Hull.
This followed The Yorkshire Post’s “ditch the diesel” campaign with the MPs, to try and get greener and cleaner services to the Humber.
In a letter to both firms, the MPs said: “As recent events have shown, moving away from diesel is also a matter of national security and resilience.
“It would mean that we are less exposed to global fossil fuel price shocks.
“The much-reduced outlay on infrastructure would be followed by also cutting your ongoing running costs by up to half, hopefully taking some pressure off ticket prices for passengers.
“Above all else, battery-electric bi-modal trains serving the whole North would realise the benefits of faster speeds, typically saving around 10 per cent on route journey times.”
“Hull to Selby electrification was promised by the last Conservative government, re-promised by the current Labour government, and written into the devolution deal our Reform UK mayor is meant to deliver.
“Despite all of that, we have still seen no action. Battery trains in 2034 are fine, but they are not the electrification Hull was promised.”
Hull Trains said its current fleet already operates with bi-mode technology, but it was committed to looking at further opportunities in this area.
A spokesperson added: “We welcome Dame Diana Johnson’s ambition to see further investment in greener rail services for Hull and are actively exploring opportunities to further decarbonise our operations.
“We are already investing significantly in the future of rail, with a £500m order for 14 new trains from UK based Hitachi and remain open to exploring how private investment can support further improvements to railway infrastructure.
“Hull Trains is proud to be an integral part of the local community, and we want to continue being a positive partner in the region’s future.
“We look forward to working with Dame Diana’s office and industry partners to explore what more can be achieved for Hull and the wider region.” Northern has been contacted for comment.