Nexus has announced that they have signed a contract with Stadler to produce the new train fleet for the Tyne and Wear Metro.
Stadler was announced as the manufacturer for the new trains recently. However, it is now official thanks to the signing of this contract. The new trains will be delivered up to 2024 and will increase comfort and reliability on the Metro.
The new trains will cut Metro's high voltage power consumption by 30% while providing about 15 times better reliability than the current fleet.
Passengers will benefit from modern features that include wifi, charging points, air conditioning and a step-change in accessibility. An automatic sliding step at every door of the new trains will make travel a breeze for wheelchair passengers as well as people with children's buggies, luggage or bicycles.
Stadler will build 42 new trains, with options for ten more, build a new Metro maintenance depot and carry out 35 years of maintenance for the new fleet, and is worth around 700 million pounds.
Operations are scheduled to begin in 2023, and in 2024 the new trains will completely replace the existing fleet. Stadler will also work with local suppliers from the North East of England to produce the new trains.
What did the officials say?
Ansgar Brockmeyer, sales director at Stadler, said:
“The contract with Nexus represents an important milestone for Stadler in Great Britain. After Glasgow and Liverpool, this is the third metro operator to opt for a Stadler vehicle. We look forward to working with Nexus and our suppliers in the North East of England.”
Director-General of Nexus, Tobyn Hughes, said:
“We have secured the best train builder in the world to make the new Metro fleet. It's an historic moment in the proud 40 year history of the Tyne and Wear Metro service.
“I am delighted that has now been made official with the signing of the contract with Stadler. The hard work now starts in making our new train fleet become a reality. It heralds a very exciting future for Metro, its passengers, and its workforce.
“We asked for the best trains for the best price, transforming the passenger experience and delivering huge energy savings. Stadler has delivered on all fronts, and we look forward to working with them and the extensive UK supply chain which will support them over the coming years.”
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I see Andrew is still considering before he utters.
I would think that Stadler could possibly build a train manufacturing plant in the UK and to continue building new trains including the Flirt and Metro trains in the UK. Instead of building new trains in Switzerland that they would continue with manufacturing new trains for Europe and Worldwide. Because I think Stadler are so passionate about the UK’s railways since the UK has left the EU and it would benefit with new trains been built that is affordable, eco-friendly and reliable.