Alstom has signed a contract worth around £370 million for ten new nine-car Aventra trains – and maintenance – for Transport for London’s (TfL) Elizabeth line.
Opened in 2022, 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 additional Aventra electric multiple unit (EMU) passenger trains will be built at Alstom’s Derby facility.
“We are delighted to now have a confirmed workload for Derby Litchurch Lane and our supply chain across the UK.” said Nick Crossfield, Managing Director UK and Ireland at Alstom.
He added: “The UK remains one of Alstom’s most important global markets.”
The contract includes new trains which are funded by £220.5 million from the Department for Transport, with Transport for London also contracting for the provision of train maintenance on the units until 2046.
A Government statement confirming the news said: “The government has today (14 June 2024) confirmed funding for TfL to procure 10 new Elizabeth Line trains from the UK-based train manufacturer, Alstom.
“Following careful consideration of TfL’s business case, the government has approved TfL’s request for funding for the additional trains.
“The trains are needed due to strong passenger demand, expected growth on the Elizabeth Line, and will allow TfL to increase capacity on the network in the coming years.
“The trains will be made at Alstom’s facility in Derby.
“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.”
The Railway Industry Association (RIA) has welcomed the news that the UK Government has confirmed funding for TfL to procure 10 new Elizabeth Line trains. RIA has been campaigning for the Government to make decisions on orders for new and refurbished train fleets for many years. The trade association has published several reports calling for a proactive approach to rolling stock procurement as a pillar of an industrial strategy for rail in addition to championing the issue with MPs.
Commenting on the latest developments Railway Industry Association Chief Executive Darren Caplan said: “It is positive that the UK Government has listened to calls by the Railway Industry Association and other stakeholders and confirmed funding for the procurement of new trains for Transport for London’s Elizabeth Line which will be built at Derby. The news will be welcomed by hundreds of rail businesses of all sizes, factories and jobs across the rail supply chain.
“It is good that the Government specifically acknowledged the strong passenger demand and future rail growth as a reason for confirming this train order. Whoever forms the next Government should heed this call and bring forward the much-needed invitations to tender for new procurements in the medium term across the railway, and listen to industry proposals which have called for a level playing field for manufacturers to bid for the £3.6 billion of upcoming work orders.”
Responding to the news, Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “Our members at Alstom will be breathing a huge sigh of relief but they should never have been in this position in the first place. The Government were guilty of being asleep at the wheel. There is a huge need for new trains in this country, but Alstom was being starved of work.”
Unite East Midlands regional secretary Paresh Patel said: “This has been a long hard slog and Unite has stood squarely with its members throughout this uncertainty. Unite will now be working to ensure there is a continued supply of orders for new rolling stock and to ensure that the threats to the future of Alstom and train making in Derby are never repeated.”
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