Transport for London has announced the ambition to buy additional trains for the Elizabeth line, to bolster the services capacity following the news of HS2’s reported delays for services reaching Euston, following the publication annual budget for 2023/24.
The capital’s transport authority is asking for the funding to be provided through the Government, awaiting confirmation of this before TfL can begin the procurement process prior to the manufacturing production lines at Alstom’s factory in Derbyshire are demobilised.
Failure to secure this funding will mean increased delays and raised cost to then remobilise the workforces and sourcing of materials to ensure that the rolling stock can be ready to enter service.
Through the budget report, TfL outline the need to deliver on customer improvements through the introduction of up to 24 train services per hour along the line, particularly at the busiest times.
The current funding agreement with the government expires in March 2024, after being secured at the end of August last year following negotiations that stemmed from losses due to lack of customer revenue throughout the Covid-19 pandemic.
TfL has also highlighted the “pressing need for the Government to confirm the £475m that TfL needs in 2024/25 to support the delivery of the committed contracts for rolling stock and signalling on the Piccadilly line and the DLR.
“The Government has consistently recognised in the funding settlements that TfL is not expected to fund major capital projects from its operating incomes. This is consistent with other transport authorities.”
London's Transport Commissioner, Andy Lord said:
“Our work on delivering the Elizabeth line, the Overground extension to Barking Riverside and the extension of the Northern line to Battersea have all shown the power of transport investment both to London and the wider UK supply chain. With clarity on future funding and engaging with us on plans for future network extensions now, we can unite with businesses across the country and ensure we can support growth in the UK economy both now and in the coming decades.”
To read the full TfL annual budget, click here.
Want to know more about the opportunities to become a key supplier to the UK rail industry? Attend TransCityRail and access an exclusive marketplace of buyers from Network Rail, HS2, Train Operators, Major Contractors, and all other tiers of the supply chain. For more information and to secure your place click here.
