Bombardier signs £542m West Midlands Trains contract

Derby-based Bombardier has signed a £542m contract with Corelink Rail Infrastructure to build and maintain 333 train carriages for the new West Midlands Trains franchise.

Bombardier will supply its new Bombardier Aventra vehicles for use on the West Midlands Trains franchise, together with a maintenance and support services contract. Corelink Rail Infrastructure is a joint venture between Deutsche Asset Management and Infracapital, and West Midlands Trains is a joint venture consisting of Abellio UK, East Japan Railway Company (JR East) and Mitsui & Co., Ltd. (Mitsui).

The maintenance contract will run for the duration of the franchise with an option to extend in line with any franchise extensions.

Chris Grayling, Secretary of State for Transport said, “We are delivering the biggest rail modernisation programme for over a century. West Midlands passengers will see longer, more frequent trains, faster journeys and a more reliable service for passengers. This is part of a huge investment happening up and down the country and will make a real difference to passengers. This investment reflects our commitment, and that of train operators, to put passengers at the heart of everything we do.”

Dominic Booth, managing director of Abellio UK, said, “This is all part of the £1bn investment we’re bringing to the West Midlands franchise. Customers will enjoy new trains and upgraded stations, along with a whole host of other benefits. At Abellio we’re committed to supporting the communities in which we operate as much as possible and getting these trains produced in the Midlands is a key part of this.”

Richard Hunter, UK managing director, Bombardier Transportation, said: “Our modern AVENTRA trains will be built in the Midlands for the Midlands, and will transform the travel experience for passengers on the new West Midlands Trains franchise by delivering more reliability, shorter journey times, and an exceptional travel experience through enhanced interior design. This important contract win again demonstrates Bombardier is the first choice when it comes to delivering high quality, integrated transportation products and services, and value-adding long-term solutions for our customers. It’s another huge endorsement of our workforce and the quality of the products we design, engineer and manufacture in the UK.”

The new trains are expected to be delivered between 2020 and 2022.