£2.75BN DEAL Five companies shortlisted for 54 'go anywhere' 360kph trains
FIVE companies are in the running to build trains for HS2, after the shortlist of bidders was announced for the £2.75 billion contract to construct at least 54 classic compatible trains.
Alstom, Bombardier, Hitachi Rail Europe, Siemens and Talgo have been invited to tender for the deal in spring 2018.
The contracts will be awarded in 2019, and cover design, build and maintenance of the 225mph trains, which will be maintained at a dedicated rolling stock depot at Washwood Heath.
The Government said a further competition will run to provide trains for Phase 2, which is due to start running trains in 2033.
Rail Minister Paul Maynard said: “HS2 will see some of the world’s fastest trains connecting our great cities across the North and Midlands, creating an economy that works for everyone. But announcements like this show how the benefits of HS2 will resonate far beyond the opening of the new railway - HS2’s legacy of jobs and skills is already being created.”
Secretary of State for Transport Chris Grayling said the deal represented a huge opportunity for British workers, and to drive economic growth in the UK.
He said: “Bidders need to push the boundaries. I want to see innovation and ambition in their plans to build the fastest trains in Britain - which I want to pave the way for a new generation of highly skilled British workers, boosting skills, generating employment and strengthening the manufacturing supply chain.”
The trains will be used on Phase 1 of HS2 from London Euston to Birmingham Curzon Street, but will travel to other parts of the UK including Manchester, Glasgow and Liverpool. They will help to deliver journeys between London and Glasgow 45 minutes faster than today, and by 2033 the trains will cover London to Glasgow/ Edinburgh in around 220 minutes.
A High Speed Rail Industry Leaders spokesman said: “HS2 is the biggest and most ambitious infrastructure project in the country, and will not only revitalise Britain’s transport networks, but also boost skills, generate employment and strengthen the UK construction and manufacturing supply chains.”
Alstom UK & Ireland Managing Director Nick Crossfield said: “HS2 isn’t just a new railway, it is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to build jobs, skills and growth throughout the UK. Alstom is committed to using our UK base in Widnes to support the project,
to train a whole new generation of apprentices there in our Academy, and to work with the UK supply chain to create a sustainable long-term legacy of growth and opportunity.”
A Bombardier spokesman said: “Bombardier has the unique capability to design, develop, build and maintain trains in Britain, so we are very excited by the chance to be part of this transformational project to transport 300,000 passengers a day on Britain’s new high speed rail network and the existing railway.”
Karen Boswell, Managing Director at Hitachi Rail Europe, said: “We look forward to further developing our proposals for this hugely exciting and important project, which will deliver enormous benefits for the whole of the UK.”
Jo Hensher, HS2 Bid Director, Siemens UK, said: “This is a fantastic opportunity to participate in one of the world’s most prestigious and high-profile infrastructure projects.
“Based on our extensive experience of building very high speed trains - including for Russia, Spain, China, Germany and most recently for Eurostar in the UK - we know that this project holds enormous transformative potential for the UK economy. We hope to play a part in supporting the Government and HS2 Ltd as they look to deliver this milestone project.”
Jon Veitch, Talgo UK Manager, said: “This is just the first step, but we are truly confident in our mobility proposal for the UK. The Avril Very High Speed platform has already proved to offer the lowest acquisition price and a reduced, predictable lifecycle cost curve along 35 full years - in another open, competitive procurement which was awarded last year.
“The Avril UK trains’ impact on operating profits and its capability to maximise taxpayers’ return have been streamlined after adapting it to the UK market. I honestly believe Avril UK meets all the conditions needed to make the most of the investment to be made in Phase 1 of HS2.”
RMT General Secretary Mick Cash said: “RMT would expect to see the jobs that the Government are talking about today, as part of the HS2 fleet procurement programme, as being sustainable on permanent contracts with decent terms and conditions.
“All too often rail industry projects have meant short-term casual labour being used on a stopstart basis, with no thought for the long-term development of the train manufacturing sector in the nation that gave the railways to the world.”