Last week, Alstom signed a contract with the UK Department for Transport and Transport for London for a further 10 nine-car Aventra trains.
These trains will be a continuation of the Class 345 trainsets that are used on the Elizabeth Line. The contract worth is around €430 (£370) million, along with associated maintenance until 2046.
According to Alstom, the Elizabeth line continues to experience passenger demand ahead of predictions and its current 70-strong fleet of Alstom-built Aventra Class 345 trains would be insufficient to meet demand later this decade and through the 2030s.
The move has been agreed by the Government to confirm funding to Transport for London. Like the rest of the fleet, the additional Aventra electric multiple unit (EMU) passenger trains will be built at Alstom’s Derby Litchurch Lane Works.
In accordance with section 101 of the Greater London Authority Act 1999, the government will provide TfL with the capital funding requested for the additional trains only.
Wait. No political bluster?
As we are in the Pre-Election period, different publicity rules apply.
The requirement for political impartiality impacts civil servants, prohibiting central and local governments from announcing any new or contentious government initiatives that might be perceived as beneficial to any candidates or parties in the upcoming election – thus we’re not hearing the usual crowing that would come at this time – rather just the facts.
For Transport for London, it will add capacity at a time when having those extra trains could be very useful – considering they will serve the HS2 station at Old Oak Common station when it opens.
And for Alstom – ten extra trains should be enough to tide the Derby works over to its next big order.
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