Bombardier wins £112m Central Line fleet deal

Bombardier has been awarded a £112.1 million contract to fit new traction equipment to London Underground’s Central Line train fleet. The deal lasts until 2024, with the company also supplying maintenance support.

The trains’ DC traction motors will be replaced with Bombardier’s MITRAC AC traction motors and MITRAC traction control equipment. The Central Line fleet is the last LU fleet using DC motors, and the project is part of LU’s larger Central Line Improvement Programme, which is designed to reduce the number of failures.

In total, Bombardier will supply new motors and traction control equipment for 85 eight-car Central Line trains (680 vehicles in total).

The project will be led by the company’s Vasteras site in Sweden, and use capabilities from other Bombardier sites. Modifications for the first train, as well as integration works and testing, will be carried out at Derby Litchurch Lane.

LU Managing Director Mark Wild said: “We are making a number of improvements to reduce delays and make the Central Line more reliable for our customers. Installing new motors is one of the most important parts of this work.”

Richard Hunter, Managing Director of Bombardier Transportation UK, said: “This important contract win is testament to the significant improvements in energy consumption, reliability and performance of our systems.”