31.07.13
Southern to get 116 more carriages in £180m Bombardier deal
Southern has confirmed the details of an £180m deal with Bombardier for an additional 116 Electrostar carriages to provide electric trains for Thameslink, facilitating the cascade of rolling stock to newly-electrified routes elsewhere in the country.
The extension, financed by Porterbrook, follows previous agreements for 130 new carriages signed in 2011 and an extra 40 signed in December 2012.
The new dual-voltage carriages, required to operate up to 110mph, will be in service from 2015.
Transport secretary Patrick McLoughlin said: “London’s commuters deserve a first class rail network and comfortable modern trains, Southern is delivering that. This second order will also provide a further boost to the thousands of passengers who travel into London every day.
“A successful rail network is vital for the economic prosperity of the country and its standing in the global race. The fact that these trains are made in Britain also protects jobs outside of the capital.”
Southern managing director Chris Burchell said: “We are delighted that the order we have signed today will help our industry grow. Southern has a great record in new train introduction and we are pleased to be able to offer our expertise in helping the Department for Transport deliver the benefits of the Thameslink programme.”
Southern fleet director Gerry McFadden said: “Getting the trains built, tested and in service within a two year time scale is setting a new record for train delivery, but we and Bombardier are determined to provide our passengers with the longer trains they have been promised.”
The commercial director for Bombardier Transportation UK, Des McKeon, said: “It is great to see the first of Southern’s 130 new carriages being delivered here today. Production of the rest of the order is progressing on time in Derby. We are confident of delivering the rest of the fleet in line with Southern’s requirements and meeting their challenge of getting these units ready for passenger service later this year.
“The order underlines the strength of the relationship Bombardier has with Southern and the DfT – a relationship born out of our strong performance on existing contracts. It reinforces the quality of our products and our ability to deliver on time to demanding schedules. It is further evidence of the dedication and skills of our people in the UK.”
Paul Francis, managing director of Porterbrook, said: “We’re delighted to have been appointed financier for the purchase of these new Electrostar trains which will operate with the other 792 Electrostar vehicles we have on lease with Southern. We reiterate our hope that this is only the start of ongoing investment opportunities in new and existing rolling stock over the coming years as franchises are re-let.”
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