£700m new trains to built for Merseyside

Swiss company Stadler has signed a £700m deal with Merseytravel to build and maintain 52 metro trains on the Merseyrail network for the Liverpool City Region from 2020.

Replacing one of the oldest fleets in the UK, the new trains will provide fully step free access for all passengers, making Merseyrail the most accessible traditional network in the UK.

Mersey trainA new Kirkdale maintenance depot will be entirely designed, built and operated by Stadler.

The current Merseytravel fleet is one of the oldest in the UK, with an average age of almost 40 years.

The contract will entirely replace the existing fleet, making it one of the most modern in the country and transforming the passenger experience.

New trains will be able to carry 60% more passengers, while retaining the same number of seats, and will cut journey times by up to 10%.

The new four-car trains will all be in service by 2021, with the first unit arriving for testing by the middle of 2019.

The value of the manufacture and maintenance contracts for the 52 trains is up to £700m and Merseytravel also has the option to trigger the manufacture of a further 60 carriages.

The trains will have lower floors, only 960 mm above rail level, and will be entirely walk-through, increasing their capacity to 486 people (182 seated, 302 standing, and two wheelchair users).

Strong but lightweight carriages, built from aluminium extrusions, mean they will be safer and more energy efficient.

Peter Jenelten, executive vice president and head of marketing and sales of Stadler said: “This contract with Merseytravel marks a very important milestone for Stadler in the UK. It will bring safer, more comfortable trains that can carry more people and will help provide the Liverpool City Region with the metro service it deserves.

“The UK is a key part of our global strategy and this contract represents the latest step in our growth here.

“We have recently been successful in several high profile tenders, including the provision of 58 multiple units for the East Anglia franchise and the delivery of 17 metro trains for the Glasgow Subway, and we now look forward to working with Merseytravel to deliver its new trains on schedule.”

Frank Rogers, chief executive of Merseytravel, said: “We are very much looking forward to working with Stadler.  

“The fleet of new trains will provide the foundations of our City Region’s long term rail strategy and we anticipate our relationship with Stadler developing into a strong, enduring partnership.”

Mersey train

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