Hitachi Rail will continue to maintain the fleet of TransPennine Express 19 ‘Nova 1' intercity trains that it built, after winning an eight-year contract.
TransPennine Trains Limited and Angel Trains awarded Hitachi Rail the contract to continue maintenance of the nineteen intercity Class 802 trains.
Hitachi built the ‘Nova 1' fleet, which has proved successful since being introduced in 2019, hauling trains over 7.5 million miles.
The trains each provide an extra 161 seats on TransPennine Express journeys between Liverpool, Manchester, Newcastle and Edinburgh.
The Nova 1 fleet is currently seventy per cent more reliable than the industry average.
The contract is worth £240 million, and will help to keep over 550 jobs in depots in the North of England and Scotland. It will also contribute significantly to Hitachi Rail's UK maintenance business, which adds an estimated £460 million gross value to the UK economy.
Jim Brewin, Chief Director UK and Ireland at Hitachi Rail said: “This contract is recognition of Hitachi Rail's incredible maintenance team, and positive collaboration between TransPennine Express, Angel Trains and Hitachi Rail.
“We will continue to invest and work tirelessly so the Nova 1 fleet goes from strength to strength.”
Paul Staples, Fleet, Safety and Service Delivery Director for TransPennine Express, said: “We have had a long and productive relationship with Hitachi and we are delighted to continue working together with the award of this eight-year contract extension. We rely on Hitachi as a strategic partner to help us put customers at the heart of everything that we do and ensure that our Nova 1 trains offer the best journey experience when people choose to travel with us.”
The Nova 1 Class 802 could have been renumbered as Class 804 along with Hull Trains Class 802 Paragon that too could have been renumbered as Class 804.