30.08.17
Bombardier handed £112m LU propulsion technology supply deal
Bombardier Transportation has been awarded a seven-year contract to supply new motors and traction control equipment for London Underground’s Central Line fleet worth over £112m.
The contract, which started on Friday last week and will run until 2024, also includes the provision of ongoing maintenance support.
The company will replace the DC traction motors on the Central Line trains – the last stock to use that technology in the Underground – with the latest MITRAC AC traction systems and MITRAC traction control equipment.
MITRAC propulsion technology is expected to bring “significant benefits” by cutting down on energy consumption as well as greatly improving fleet reliability and performance.
In total, the foreign firm will supply new motors and traction control equipment for 85 eight-car trains, adding up to 680 cars in total.
It will lead the project from its Västeras site in Sweden while also taking advantage of the capabilities of other sites in Bombardier’s manufacturing network. The installation of the first train and associated vehicle integration works and testing will be undertaken in its Derby site in the UK.
Richard Hunter, managing director of Bombardier Transportation UK, argued the contract win is a “testament to the significant improvements” that the company’s MITRAC systems can provide.
“This win is also a ringing endorsement of our traction system business, following MITRAC’s strong performance on other London Underground lines,” he added. “Bombardier has a long history of working with London Underground, and we continue to provide cutting-edge technology across the tube network, playing a vital role in keeping London moving.”
Mark Wild, London Underground’s MD, also emphasised that installing new motors is “one of the most important parts” of the work to reduce delays on the Central Line, one of London’s busiest and most important routes.
(Top image c. PeterSkuce)