01.08.08
Virgin Rail Group welcomes decision on longer Pendolino trains
Virgin Rail Group today welcomed the announcement by the Department for Transport (DfT) to select Virgin Rail Projects Ltd as chosen bidder to help introduce longer 'Pendolino' trains on the West Coast Main Line.
The DfT today issued a notice to proceed, which will mean that Virgin Rail Projects Ltd, a subsidiary of Virgin Rail Group, is the chosen bidder for the Service Provider contract to introduce 31 longer trains and four new trains. The extra vehicles will be ordered from Alstom by the DfT.
Under the contract, Virgin Rail Projects Ltd will support DfT throughout the design, manufacture, delivery, testing and commissioning of new 'Pendolino' trains through to the end of the current West Coast franchise, on 31 March 2012.
An agreement has been reached between the DfT and train manufacturer Alstom to begin production of the new high speed tilting Pendolino trains and extra carriages which will deliver 7,420 additional seats on routes between London and the west Midlands, North West, North Wales and Scotland.
The DfT agreement with Alstom provides for 106 carriages which will create four new 11-car trains (44 carriages) and will also lengthen 31 of the existing trains from 9 to11 carriages (62 carriages). These will be in full service by December 2012.
Tony Collins, Virgin Rail Group CEO, said, "Virgin Rail Group is delighted that Virgin Rail Projects Ltd has been named chosen bidder for the Department for Transport's proposal to introduce 62 additional carriages and four new trains within the Pendolino fleet operating on West Coast Main Line.
"We have already seen strong increases in customer numbers and further growth in future needs to be matched by adding many more seats. This project is a prime example of the private sector working in partnership with Government to meet customer expectations. We are keen to see the carriages introduced at the earliest possible opportunity."
Virgin Rail Projects Limited is a subsidiary of Virgin Rail Group.
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