Transport for London and the Department for Transport (DfT) say the trains will be built at the firm’s Derby plant and will support 760 UK manufacturing jobs plus 80 apprenticeships.
The £1bn deal will also see Bombardier build a depot at Old Oak Common, creating 244 contraction jobs and 16 apprenticeships. An additional 80 jobs will be created to maintain the trains when the depot opens.
When it begins operation in 2018 Crossrail will run as a part of TfL’s “integrated” network, sharing ticketing with the Tube, London Overground, DLR and bus services.
Announcing the contract, Mayor of London, Boris Johnson, said: “The Crossrail project is now rolling on full-steam ahead. The manufacture of these new trains will not only revolutionise rail travel in London, they will deliver jobs and economic growth in their birthplace in Derby and across the UK.
“With a firm on board to deliver a fleet of 21st Century trains and the tunnelling more than halfway complete, we’re on track to deliver a truly world-class railway for the capital.”
Transport Secretary Patrick McLoughlin said todays announcement was “great news for British manufacturing and for Derbyshire, where Bombardier will support 760 new jobs and 80 apprenticeships.”
Sir Peter Hendy CBE, London’s Transport Commissioner, added: “Crossrail is already generating jobs in London and the UK. When it opens it will continue to provide jobs and the growth it will bring will boost the whole economy.
“Crossrail is a fantastic example of the widespread benefits that sustained investment in transport infrastructure brings.”
Dr. Francis Paonessa, Managing Director, Bombardier Transportation UK, said: “Today’s decision is a credit to the efforts of our entire workforce in the UK, including our 1,600 strong Derby-based design, engineering and manufacturing team who form a global centre of excellence for the rail industry, as well as our outstanding maintenance teams who support train operators right across the country and particularly in London as demonstrated during the London 2012 Olympics.”
