Press Release

TfL awards £223m new trains contract

31 August 2006

Transport for London (TfL) today announced that a £223 million contract to build and maintain more than 44 new trains has been awarded to Bombardier.  The trains will be built in the UK at Bombardier’s Derby plant.

Funded by TfL’s £10 billion Investment Programme, the new trains will operate on the North London Railway, which TfL will manage from November next year, and the extended East London Line.  The trains are expected to enter service in 2009.

The rolling stock contract will deliver a fleet of new trains, modelled on Bombardier’s Class 376 Electrostar, designed specifically to cater for the high volumes of passengers on busy commuter routes.  The order will be delivered as follows:

·       24 dual-voltage three-car trains for the North London Railway;
·       20 four-car trains for the extended East London Line when it opens in 2010.

The contract also includes further options for extra carriages for the North London Railway and more trains for the extended East London Line.

Howard Smith, Chief Operating Officer, TfL London Rail said, “I’m delighted to confirm this order for 44 new trains for the North London Railway and extended East London Line.  They will significantly improve the comfort, reliability and overall quality of train services for passengers on these TfL rail routes.

“TfL’s priority is to put passengers first.  When we assume responsibility for the North London Railway in November next year, our first priority is to improve safety and security on the route.  But we also want to revitalise London’s rail services, addressing issues of capacity and train performance.

“The award of a contract for these trains is a significant step towards achieving TfL’s vision for rail services in London.”

In June this year, TfL announced a shortlist of bidders to operate train services on the North London Railway and the extended East London Line, under the TfL London Rail Concession.  The successful bidder is likely to be announced next summer.