On 20 January, the UK Transport Secretary Chris Grayling has launched the process for the acquisition of high speed trains for HS2 network. The value of the contract is £2.75 billion (€3.17 billion) and the successful bidder will have to design, build and maintain the fleet at the dedicated rolling stock depot planned for Washwood Heath in Birmingham.
According to the Periodic Indicative Notice (PIN) published by Department for Transport on January 20, it will be held an industry event on 27 March where interested companies can find out more about the bidding requirements and process. This will be followed by the launch of the pre-qualification questionnaire (PQQ) pack which will provide further details of the specifications for the trains.
Bidders will be shortlisted following the PQQ, and the formal invitations to tender issued in 2018. The contract award will be announced at the end of 2019.
Up to 60 high specification trains to transport passengers at around 225mph on Britain’s new high speed rail service are needed.
Future contracts will add to this fleet, to provide trains for the second phase of the project, in 2033.
“We are looking for a supplier who is capable of delivering and maintaining some of the world’s most advanced rolling stock, with designs putting the passenger at their heart to ensure seamless, accessible, fast and reliable journeys. Starting from 2026, our trains will be used by tens of thousands of people every day, bringing the benefits of high speed rail not only to the core network, but also onward to places like Manchester, Glasgow, Liverpool, Preston and Wigan,” Chris Rayner, HS2 Ltd Managing Director – Railway Operations, said.
With Royal Assent for the Phase One hybrid Bill expected shortly and building work due to start on the Birmingham to London section of HS2 in the spring, 2017 will see HS2 move from planning to construction.
The contract will be awarded in 2019 with the winning bidders going on to deliver a brand new fleet of up to 60 trains which will provide services capable of seating more than 1,000 passengers.
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