12.12.18
Hitachi and Spencer Group join forces for £500m Tyne and Wear Metro deal bid
Hitachi and Spencer Group have launched a joint bid to win a £500m contract to build new trains and a maintenance depot for the Tyne and Wear Metro.
The two northern engineering giants have formed a partnership to bid for the contract which will see the existing Tyne and Wear Metro fleet replaced with new high-tech trains and maintained at a newly -constructed site at Gosforth, Newcastle.
The two firms teamed up before when Spencer successfully upgraded existing the existing East Coast Main Line rail depot ready for Hitachi’s new intercity trains, and say the new bid will “harness their footprint in the north.”
Gary Thornton, managing director of Spencer Group, said: “Our partnership with Hitachi to bid for the contract with Tyne and Wear Metro builds on our successful relationship delivering major rail projects.
“Together we offer a compelling proposition of complementary engineering expertise that will deliver unrivalled benefits to the client and value to the economy of the north.”
Ross Nagle, chief operating officer for manufacturing at Hitachi, said: “Our train building team in the north east is delivering truly world class trains already carrying millions of passengers around the country.
“We are now working hard to secure more orders, so our investment in the north east economy will continue to be felt across the region and with our local suppliers.”
Shortlisted bidders were announced for the rolling stock deal earlier this year with Chris Grayling commenting: “The Tyne and Wear Metro has been an essential part of the public transport network in the north east for 40 years.”
Investment in northern rail will be the hot topic of discussion at TransCityRail North in October next year. Click here to find out more.
Enjoying RTM? Subscribe here to receive our weekly news updates or click here to receive a copy of the magazine!