EWR issues notice on rolling stock
East West Railway has issued a Prior Information Notice to rolling stock suppliers for trains for the new railway.
It is seeking 12 or 14 threecar self-powered trains with European Train Control System Level 2 and Driver Controlled Operation capabilities.
The trains will run on EWR Phase 2 between Oxford, Milton Keynes, Bedford and Aylesbury, and the order is expected to be supported by a full maintenance package.
The lease would run for four years with an optional two-year extension - what EWR calls a “short-term, interim solution to leasing a small fleet of selfpowered trains for the western section”. The value is expected to exceed £44 million.
EWR Chief Executive Simon Blanchflower said: “We listened to what the market had to say about our technical specification and this has enabled us to reshape our requirements in a way that give us more flexibility in achieving the right outcomes for passengers.
“It’s essential we get this public procurement absolutely right, to make sure we give the best value to taxpayers and provide the best solution to the communities who live and work along the East West Rail route.”