Alstom has signed a four-and-a-half-year Technical Support and Spares Supply Agreement (TSSSA) with South Western Railway (SWR) to support the operation and performance of their new Class 701 Arterio trains.
Valued at £66 million (€76 million), the contract will provide round-the-clock technical support for 750 Aventra vehicles – comprising 60 ten-car and 30 five-car units – operating across suburban routes from London Waterloo. Alstom provision will be delivered by a team of almost 40 from both SWR’s Wimbledon Traincare Depot and Network Rail’s Basingstoke Rail Operations Centre (ROC).
This new contract continues the successful collaboration first established in 2017, reflecting the strong and positive working relationship forged between Alstom and SWR over the past eight years.
“This new agreement with South Western Railway marks a significant milestone in our long-standing partnership. We’re proud to continue supporting the Arterio fleet with our technical expertise and predictive maintenance capabilities,” said Steven Harvey, Services Director UK and Ireland at Alstom.
He added: “Our dedicated team is committed to ensuring these Alstom-built trains deliver the highest standards of performance and reliability for fare-paying passengers across London and South West England.”
Under the agreement, Alstom will also supply heavy and light maintenance spares, ensuring the fleet remains in optimal condition. A team of five engineers will focus on data capture and analysis from trains in service, enabling predictive maintenance and performance improvements.
“The introduction of the Arterio fleet is transforming journeys for customers on routes across our suburban network with increased capacity and comfort. As we continue the rollout of the fleet, we warmly welcome this new agreement with Alstom, and the technical and maintenance support they will provide over the coming years,” said James Wale, Head of Fleet Delivery at South Western Railway.
The Arterio fleet represents a major upgrade for SWR customers, offering enhanced comfort, reliability and efficiency. Designed, engineered, manufactured and tested at Alstom’s Litchurch Lane Works in Derby, the name – Arterio – reflects their routes along the arteries of SWR’s suburban network from the capital. Part of Alstom’s Aventra family of trains, the company has produced 2,660 cars in Derby for customers across the UK since 2015 – making it the biggest train manufacturing programme in a generation.
“The new Class 701 fleet is already making a real difference for the passengers. We are delighted that our long-term partner Alstom, with whom we work very closely, will be continuing to maintain the trains and provide an excellent service to passengers,” said Mark Swindell, Chief Executive Officer at Rock Rail, who owns the trains.
Image credit: South Western Railway
