Bombardier Transportation signed a EUR 139 million train services contract with FirstGroup and Trenitalia for its new joint venture Avanti West Coast franchise.
Under the new agreement, which lasts until December 2022, Bombardier will maintain a fleet of 20 Bombardier class 221 diesel-electric multiple unit trains for use on Avanti West Coast mainline services. The maintenance of the trains will take place at Central Rivers depot, with heavy component maintenance taking place at Bombardier Crewe, and the refresh programme taking place at Bombardier Ilford.
Each of the five-car trainsets will receive a comprehensive interior refresh and be fitted with an upgraded WiFi system at Bombardier’s Ilford depot.
This contract follows Bombardier’s previous role in maintaining the 200 km/h trains for the former Virgin Trains franchise.
In December, FirstGroup and Trenitalia launched the Avanti West Coast services, providing transport services on the West Coast Main Line, connecting London with towns and cities across England, North Wales and Scotland.
Starting 2022, the operator will launch its new train fleet, manufactured and maintained by Hitachi Rail.
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