Southern signs deal for 116 electric train carriages

Date: 6/8/2013

Rail company Southern has agreed a deal with Bombardier that will see it receive 116 new electric train carriages.

The £180 million deal will see the sustainable transport serve some of the UK's busiest commuter routes from 2015, with the first of the fleet unveiled last week at Stewarts Lane Depot in Battersea.

Transport Secretary Patrick McLoughlin said that Southern is helping to deliver the "first class" rail network the capital's commuters deserve.

"This second order will also provide a further boost to the thousands of passengers who travel in London every day."

The 116 new electric carriages have been earmarked for use on the Thameslink network, allowing for existing rolling stock to be released to newly-electrified routes.

Chris Burchell, Southern Managing Director, said the company is delighted to help the Department for Transport to deliver the expected benefits of the Thameslink initiative.

Southern is currently testing a new fleet of carriages on the network, which will allow ten car trains to run on some of the capital's busiest routes.

Posted by Nick Anderson

International Transport News and Sustainable Transport News