Operating at speeds of up to 225mph (360kph), the new fleet will
deliver unparalleled levels of reliability, speed and comfort as
well as providing much-needed extra capacity between the UK’s
major cities and giving a boost to high tech skills and expertise
in the UK.
The shortlisted bidders are: Alstom Transport; Bombardier
Transportation UK Ltd; Hitachi Rail Europe; Patentes Talgo S.L.U
and Siemens PLC. They will all be invited to tender for the
contracts, which will cover the design, build and maintenance of
at least 54 trains coming into service from 2026.
Following on from the opening of the new National College for
High Speed Rail in Birmingham and Doncaster, this is the latest
milestone passed as High Speed Two (HS2) becomes a reality. In
total, HS2 will
create around 25,000 jobs and 2,000 apprenticeships both directly
in construction and also across the UK-wide supply chain.
The first trains will begin to roll off the production line in
the early 2020s. The investment is expected to create hundreds of
jobs and boost Britain’s skills and expertise in the high speed
rail sector.
Welcoming the shortlist, HS2 Minister said:
Thousands of skilled British jobs and apprenticeships will be
created by HS2, which
gets a step closer as we reveal the companies shortlisted to
build the high speed trains.
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.
Chris Rayner, HS2 Ltd Managing Director - Railway
Operations, said:
It’s great to see such a strong line up of experienced
high-tech manufacturing and design talent. Together with the
successful bidder, HS2will deliver some of the world’s
most advanced rolling stock, engineered to provide seamless,
accessible, fast and reliable journeys.
Starting from 2026, our trains will be used by tens of
thousands of people every day, transforming links across the
Midlands and the North and providing much-needed extra capacity
between Britain’s major cities.
Providing a world class passenger experience is at the heart of
the requirements for the £2.75 billion contract. The new trains
will also serve destinations beyond the core HS2 network, including York,
Newcastle, Liverpool, the North West, Glasgow and Edinburgh.
The new trains will be required to meet HS2’s design and performance needs and
the highest standards internationally for passenger experience,
noise reduction, and environmental sustainability, while
maximising skills, employment and growth opportunities.
All 5 bidders will be invited to tender in spring 2018, with
contracts awarded in 2019.
The successful bidder will also maintain the fleet from the
dedicated rolling stock depot planned for Washwood Heath in
Birmingham. The area will also be home to the HS2 Network Control Centre, which
will together create hundreds of skilled jobs.
