Nexus has announced that more than 150 local businesses attended an event at the Stadium of Light in Sunderland to find out how they can take part in supplying over £500 million of new trains for the Tyne and Wear Metro.
Businesses had a chance to meet the five bidders shortlisted for the contract to build the new trains as well as other companies who could form part of the supply chain.
The five bidders are Bombardier Transportation UK Ltd; Construcciones y Auxiliar de Ferrocarriles, S.A. (CAF); Downer EDI Rail Pty Ltd – a joint venture between Downer EDI Rail and CRRC Changchun Railway Vehicles Co. Ltd; Hitachi Rail Europe Ltd; and Stadler Bussnang AG
The contracts are due to be awarded by Nexus, which owns and operates Metro, by the end of 2019.
What did the officials say?
Colin Bell, Business Growth Director at the North East LEP, opened the event by talking about the North East Growth Hub and wider business support on offer. He said:
“This is an important contract for the North East, which has a well-established transport sector served by a thriving supply chain. Bringing these companies together with the bidders is a fantastic way to raise awareness of the opportunity; helping organisations build their networks and find new ways to partner on lucrative contracts.”
Neil Blagburn, Metro Development Director at Nexus, said: “Our investment in new trains will transform passengers' experience of the Tyne and Wear Metro. We have issued an Invitation to Negotiate to five bidders who, between them, are building trains for many of the world's biggest cities and rail networks.
“This event, organised by the North East LEP, has been an opportunity for our short-listed bidders to meet supply chain companies they could work with in the construction and maintenance of both trains and depot in the next few years, but also their ongoing maintenance for decades to come.”
Guy Currey, INEE Director, said:
“We have a comprehensive package of free support available to organisations seeking development opportunities in the North East of England. This event showcased the talent and supply chain infrastructure in the region, demonstrating exactly why this is a good place to live, work and grow a business.”
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New trains for Tyne & Wear could help boost more people to use the metro. As the new stocks will have walkthrough passageways, seats, interiors, lighting, air-conditioning, free WiFi, PIS (Passenger Information System) and could also be driverless.