The Minister of State, Department for Transport ():...The fact remains that the market for passenger
trains is competitive. The Department cannot guarantee orders for
individual manufacturers. None the less, we expect substantial
continued demand for new trains. Last month, LNER confirmed an
order of 10 new tri-mode trains for the east coast main line, and
on Monday, a tender for new trains for the TransPennine
Express route was launched. Contract awards are also
expected between late 2024 and early 2025 for major orders for
Southeastern, Northern and Chiltern. In the meantime, the
Government will continue to work with Alstom and other UK
manufacturers to ensure a strong and sustainable future for the
rail industry...
(York Central)
(Lab/Co-op): I declare that I am a member of Unite the union, and
met with trade union members yesterday. The urgency of this
matter cannot be overstated—the clock is ticking, and those jobs
will be consulted on in the very near future if contracts cannot
be found. The Minister wrote in September, but what has he been
doing over the past three months to bring forward contracts that
will enable the plant to remain open?
: As I have mentioned, we have written to ask rolling
stock owners what more action they can take. Just on Monday, I
was up in Yorkshire for the announcement of an extra £3.9 billion
in funding for the TransPennine route upgrade.
That also starts the tendering process for new rolling stock—29
new trains, with an option for another 26—and as I mentioned, we
are looking for the tendering process for Southeastern, Chiltern
and Northern to go forward as well, so orders are being put into
the pipeline for train manufacturers.
(Cleethorpes) (Con): My hon.
Friend referred in his opening statement to a new order from
TransPennine. He will be aware that there is
severe overcrowding on the Cleethorpes-Manchester-Liverpool
service, because the trains have been reduced from six carriages
to three in recent months. Can he enlighten me as to when the new
stock will be coming forward, as it will greatly please my
constituents?
: I hope my hon. Friend’s constituents will be
comforted by the order, because it is not just an order for new
TransPennine
Express trains but a complete upgrade of the
TransPennine route. The UK Government are
spending more money on the TransPennine upgrade
than was spent on the Elizabeth line, and that will mean
delivering a better service. I was with the managing director of
TransPennine trains on Monday up in Yorkshire
and we were discussing just that. We need to improve the service
and the rolling stock.
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