Siemens is to build 94 ‘next generation’ Tube trains which Transport for London promises will “transform the experience of millions of Piccadilly line customers.”
The company has been selected after a “comprehensive and strict procurement process” and will be awarded the £1.5bn contract after a statutory 10-day standstill period.
This order will mean the replacement of the entire 1970s Piccadilly line fleet and allow TfL to operate up to 27 trains-per-hour by the end of 2026, up from the current 24.
TfL is placing an initial order for 94 trains but says the contract will be awarded on the expectation of a single manufacturer building the trains for all four Deep Tube lines, allowing it to “maximise cost savings” through common staff training, spares and maintenance.
Up to twenty two UK suppliers will work with Siemens on the order and at least 50 new apprentice and graduate positions could be created.
Mike Brown, Commissioner of Transport for London, said: “Today’s announcement of our intention to award the contract to design and build a new generation Tube train is a huge milestone for London Underground.
“We are delivering the biggest investment programme in our history to continue to improve customers’ journeys and support London’s population and employment growth.
“It also demonstrates once again that investment in London creates jobs and apprenticeship opportunities right across the country.
“These trains will transform the journeys of millions of our customers, and provide faster, more frequent and more reliable trains for decades to come.”
Sabrina Soussan, CEO Siemens Mobility, added: “We are thrilled by today’s announcement.
“Our metro trains travel the equivalent of 60 times around the world each week, transporting millions of passengers comfortably and efficiently.
“With this extensive knowledge and our constant focus on value provision, we can drive down lifecycle costs and significantly improve the passenger experience.
“This has been key to our development of a unique proposition to meet London’s specific challenges and is essential to help TfL accelerate the growth of the Tube network and improve the capacity and reliability of its train services.
“Additionally we can further develop rail skills and our investment, something that is so important to our organisations and the continued success of the UK rail industry.”
