On page 73 there's a capacity table for SWT's existing rolling stock.
It is significant that DfT have now decided that the metro standing capacity of 0.25 sq m per passenger is not achievable on any existing stock,
including the 707s, and they have all been re-assessed to 0.35 sq m.
(This may affect other franchises (such as Southeastern) where certain stock has been defined as high standing capacity.)
They expect 0.25 sq m can only be achieved with further alterations to interior design.
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The SWT ITT says the 185s are available to use but neither forces bidders to take them on or to release 158s or 159s to other operators.
Could be just another way of saying that they cannot use any other DMU in use on another franchise, so building up the numbers of 158 or 159 any further is not a permitted way of increasing capacity on the West of England route.
I'm not convinced about 185s being a shoo-in because SWT already operate electric Desiros, as has been pointed out in earlier threads, a max length 9 car 3x185 set is a significant capacity reduction on a 10 car 158/159 working; and the whole ITT is about bringing in capacity increases...
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