This comes following a recent RIA report, The UK Rolling Stock Industry: Making 2023 the year of opportunity not crisis, which highlighted the risks to the UK supply chain if orders for new rolling stock were not forthcoming.
Both tenders highlight the need for flexible, low carbon rolling stock which will enable the creativity of the supply chain to develop future proof designs, improving the railway’s offering both for environmental sustainability and passenger experience.
This chimes with RIA’s #RailDecarb23 campaign, which urges the UK Government to accelerate plans for rail decarbonization.
David Clarke, RIA’s technical director, said, “With a recent RIA report calling on the government to take urgent decisions around rolling stock, we naturally welcome these two significant tenders of up to 520 low carbon multiple units.
“The industry and whole country will continue to benefit from these rolling stock orders as they will result not just in improved passenger experience, but also help to retain valuable jobs, generate economic growth, reduce emissions and improve air quality.
“These tenders demonstrate a strong commitment to the future of the supply chain, resulting in a significant strengthening of the pipeline of work which will deliver modern trains equipped with cleaner technologies. However, it is important to recognize however that this volume of orders is needed annually for the supply chain to be able to permanently break out of the historic boom and bust cycle.”
Chiltern’s envisaged five-year framework agreement for up to 70 low emission trains is estimated to be worth £400 million, and includes the supply and maintenance of the fleet, refueling infrastructure and any depot modifications. The deadline for submissions is September 4.
Northern, meanwhile, has issued a tender for the manufacture and supply of up to 450 new trains, plus associated support and spare parts supply, from a “single supplier”. The manufacturing requirements are for multi-mode multiple units, including options to order further units and/or additional center-vehicles and/or a mix of multi-mode and electric multiple units. The deadline for submissions is September 25.