Nexus has announced the three firms in the running to design, build and maintain its new train fleet.
The three firms will be invited to make best and final offers this summer after Nexus completed its evaluation of initial tenders submitted by each firm.
Nexus has secured Government grant funding of £337m towards the projected £362m cost of designing and building a new Metro train fleet and a new train maintenance depot.
The three remaining bidders are:
- CAF
- Hitachi Rail Ltd
- Stadler
The winning bid will be announced in January 2020.
Nexus expects to see the first new trains arriving in late 2021, from which point the phased withdrawal of its existing Metro fleet will begin.
The bidder will design, build and maintain a fleet and maintenance facilities that will serve Metro for 35 years which will see a new depot constructed at the existing site in Gosforth, Newcastle.
The successful bidder will also be responsible for maintaining the current fleet of trains to ensure there is a smooth transition between the old and new fleet between 2022 and 2024.
What did the officials say?
Managing Director of Nexus, Tobyn Hughes, said:
“This is another hugely important step towards delivering a new fleet of trains for the Tyne and Wear Metro.
“We are down to the final three bidders. Each firm has a proven track record of building trains for railway systems throughout the world.
“We have carefully evaluated the bids and will now begin the final stage of the process where bids will be refined. Bidders will then come back with best and final offers and we will sit down and pick a preferred bidder.
“The winner will then start the task of designing and building 42 new trains, which will transform the passenger experience of the Metro system.”
Where Next?
News Homepage
For the Latest Railway News
RailAdvent Online Shop
Framed Prints, DVD's / Blu-Ray's and more
LocoStop Community
Come and share your railway pictures
I actually think it’ be Hitachi because they built their new train manufacturing facility at Newton Aycliffe in County Durham which is about 50-60 miles south from Newcastle and I think new Tyne & Wear Metro Trains will be built there if Hitachi does win the contract. As they are nearly completing on manufacturing the Class 800, Class 801 & Class 802 IETs and ScotRail Class 385 commuter trains which most of them are in service.