Siemens 'to create 2,000 jobs' after securing Thameslink contract

Date: 28/6/2013

An estimated 2,000 jobs could be created after Siemens secured the contract to build 1,140 state-of-the-art carriages for the Thameslink line with Cross London Trains under the terms of a £1.6 billion deal.

Transport Secretary Patrick McLoughlin confirmed the agreement yesterday (June 27th), explaining that the project should result in substantial economic benefits for the UK.

"This contract is a boost for UK Plc, delivering jobs and injecting crucial investment into the rail industry," he said.

"It will also vastly improve train travel into the capital providing fast, frequent services carrying more passengers than ever before."

A total of £6 billion is being spent on upgrading the Thameslink network, with the aim being to increase capacity while at the same time improving rail connectivity in London and the South East.

According to the Department for Transport, the first new train is expected to be running on the line by 2016. A full fleet is scheduled to be operational by the end of 2018.

Posted by Sarah Bailey

Transport Research News and Vehicle Safety News