23.08.07
Department for Transport announces shortlist for Intercity express programme
The Department for Transport has announced the shortlisted applicants for the flagship Intercity Express Programme (IEP). They are:
- Alstom-Barclays Rail Group
- Express Rail Alliance (a consortium comprising Bombardier Transportation, Siemens, Angel Trains and Babcock & Brown)
- Hitachi Europe Ltd
The Intercity Express Programme will create a new design of train that will be lighter and more environmentally friendly than current long-distance trains. They will also be longer and capable of carrying significantly more passengers than current stock.
Rail Minister Tom Harris said: "Last month's Delivering a Sustainable Railway White Paper highlighted the importance of increasing capacity in a flexible manner. The Intercity Express Programme is an excellent example of putting this policy into practice.
"We are developing a flexible train that can be deployed on different lines, in different lengths, and with different sources of power - so this train can operate wherever we need it to in the future."
The Invitation to Tender will be issued to the shortlisted bidders in autumn this year. Proposals will then be received from bidders in summer 2008, with the award of the contract in winter 2008/09.
As agreed in the new InterCity East Coast franchise, signed with National Express earlier this week, a pre-series batch of the trains will be introduced on the East Coast Main Line from 2012. Full production of the fleet will follow, with trains entering full service from 2015, starting on the East Coast and Great Western Main Lines.
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