A contract worth around £895 million (€1 billion) has been secured by Bombardier - the largest ever single contract globally for AVENTRA trains.
The trains, including 750 carriages, are for operation on the UK's South Western franchise. The trains will first come into operation in 2019 and will all be in place by the end of 2020. The deal includes maintenance.
According to The Guardian, Bombardier's plant in Derby will produce the stock. Bombardier Transportation, the rail division of Bombardier, has 3,500 staff at eight sites and 23 service locations across the UK. The Derby site has produced a significant proportion of the UK's latest technology for rolling stock for mainline train operations and London Underground.
Richard Hunter, UK Managing Director, Bombardier Transportation, said: “We are thrilled to have won this important contract. It demonstrates further confidence placed in this market leading rolling stock, designed and built in Britain. AVENTRA offers enhanced performance and increased passenger capacity, which will play an important part in helping First/MTR satisfy continued levels of passenger growth on the South Western network. The contract builds upon our strong credentials, following the selection of AVENTRA for Crossrail and LOTRAIN in London, as well as for the East Anglia franchise. We look forward to deepening our collaborative relationship with First/MTR.”
In addition to delivering a significant performance increase with innovative energy benefits such as regenerative braking, Bombardier’s new AVENTRA electric multiple unit will transform the passenger experience with features including wide-open gangways between carriages, air conditioning, WiFi, 2 + 2 seating, USB sockets at seat locations, universal toilets and improved passenger information system. The new units will be supplied in both 5-car and 10-car configurations.
