Procurement plan in place for new Southeastern EMU fleet
SOUTHEASTERN HAS launched a procurement process that could result in up to 640 new vehicles being in traffic with the operator by October 2027.
Two parallel tenders have been launched, one for a fleet of new third-rail 750v DC trains and the other to lease a fleet of trains that will have at least 15 years life left in them after October 1, 2027.
The tender notice for the new fleet states that the core order will be for between 350 and 570 vehicles, with an option for an additional 70 vehicles, meaning the figure could be between 420 and 640 vehicles in total.
This is being run in parallel with a process that could result in between 350 and 810 vehicles with at least 15 years’ operational life left beyond October 1, 2027, being added to the Southeastern fleet.
It means that, potentially, Southeastern could either order a fleet of up to 640 brand new vehicles, lease a fleet of up to 810 vehicles already in traffic, or a combination of the two.
According to the tender notice, the quantities have been calculated using an assumed 20-metre vehicle length, and that the core order will be determined once tenders for supply, financing, and maintenance have been received and the business case completed. Southeastern currently has a mixed fleet of Class 375, 376, 377, 395, 465, 466 and 707 EMUS. The Class 395 Javelin fleet is not affected by this tender, and the new or second-hand trains will not operate on HS1. There are 1716 vehicles in the current Southeastern fleet, of which 674 were built between 1991 and 1994 (the Class 465 and 466 fleets).
The brand-new trains will be accessible and feature interiors suitable for metro and main line operation.
They will be fitted with toilets and air-conditioning and will also include the option for battery power for operations in depot and sidings, as well as on the main line where there is a lack of power supply due to isolations or incidents, or for non-electrified sections with a range of up to 20 miles.
Bidders will also be required to supply initial spares, specialist tools, and equipment to support staff training.