London Underground seeks supplier to build new air-cooled trains
Source:transportweekly 2014-3-4 14:21:00
London Underground is looking for a new supplier to build the next generation 'new tube for London' walk-through and air-cooled trains, according to Railway Technology.
A notice for expressions of interest to build the new trains was submitted by London Underground with the Official Journal of the European Union (OJEU) on 28 February with a formal tender invitation expected to be issued in early 2015.
The new tube service will run 250 new trains on the Bakerloo, Central, Piccadilly, and Waterloo & City lines.
Under the new programme, the tube will operate 100 trains for the Piccadilly line; 100 trains for the Central line; 40 trains for the Bakerloo line; and 10 trains for the Waterloo & City line.
London Underground managing director Mike Brown said: "We want the 'new tube for London' to encompass the very latest technology as well as respecting our design heritage.
"New walk-through, air-cooled trains are already running on the Circle, Hammersmith & City and Metropolitan lines and will soon be on the District line too."
The new trains will increase the capacity on the Central line by 25%; the Bakerloo line by 25%; the Waterloo & City line by 50%; and the Piccadilly line by 60%.
London mayor Boris Johnson said: "This vital modernisation of our trains and signalling will ensure an even more comfortable, frequent and reliable service for hardworking commuters and visitors to the capital.