ENGLAND, United Kingdom (Metro Rail News): Nexus has declared that they have signed a deal with the Swiss train builder Stadler to produce the new train fleet for the Tyne and Wear Metro.
Stadler was announced as the producer for the new trains recently. However, now official thanks to the signing of this contract. The new trains will be delivered up to 2024 and will enhance comfort and reliability on the Metro Train.
The new upcoming trains will cut Metro’s high voltage power consumption by 30% while giving about 15 times better reliability than the current fleet. Modern features will provide benefit to the passengers that include wifi, charging points, AC and step-change inaccessibility. An automatic sliding step at each door of the new trains will make travel a breeze for wheelchair passengers along with people with children’s buggies, luggage or bicycles.
Stadler will produce 42 new trains, along with the option for ten more, build a new Metro maintenance depot and carry out 35 years of maintenance for the new fleet, and the deal is worth around 700 million pounds.
Works are scheduled to commence in 2023-2024 the new trains will completely replace the existing fleet. Stadler will work with local suppliers from the North-East of England to construct the new trains.
“The contract with Nexus represents an important milestone for Stadler in Great Britain. After Glasgow and Liverpool, this is the third metro operator to opt for a Stadler vehicle. We look forward to working with Nexus and our suppliers in the North East of England”, Ansgar Brockmeyer, sales director at Stadler, said.
“We have secured the best train builder in the world to make the new Metro fleet. It’s a historic moment in the proud 40-years history of the Tyne and Wears Metro service”, Director-General of Nexus, Tobyn Hughes, said.
“I am delighted that has now been made official with the signing of the contract with Stadler. The hard work now starts in making our new train fleet become a reality. It heralds a very exciting future for Metro, its passengers, and its workforce.
“We asked for the best trains for the best price, transforming the passenger experience and delivering huge energy savings. Stadler has delivered on all fronts, and we look forward to working with them and the extensive UK supply chain which will support them over the coming years.”
