TransPennine Trains Limited and Angel Trains have awarded Hitachi Rail an eight-year contract to continue maintenance of 19 intercity Class 802 trains – the Nova 1 trains.
GBP 240 million (EUR 281 million) is the value of the contract that will be implemented until 2031. The contract will help maintaining over 550 jobs in depots across the North of England and Scotland, while also contributing to Hitachi Rail’s GBP 460 million (EUR 539 million) gross value add that comes from UK maintenance business.
“We have had a long and productive relationship with Hitachi and we are delighted to continue working together with the award of this eight-year contract extension. We rely on Hitachi as a strategic partner to help us put customers at the heart of everything that we do and ensure that our Nova 1 trains offer the best journey experience when people choose to travel with us,” Paul Staples, Fleet, Safety and Service Delivery Director for TransPennine Express, said.
Hitachi has been rewarded for its impressive maintenance and reliability, with the Nova 1 fleet currently 70% more reliable than the industry average.
“This contract is recognition of Hitachi Rail’s incredible maintenance team, and positive collaboration between TransPennine Express, Angel Trains and Hitachi Rail. We will continue to invest and work tirelessly so the Nova 1 fleet goes from strength to strength,” Jim Brewin, Chief Director UK & Ireland at Hitachi Rail said.
The bi-mode five-carriage trains have a capacity of 342 seats, of which 318 standard and 24 at first class. They provide spaces for up to four bicycles and passengers benefit from Wi-Fi on-board with power sockets at every pair of seats.
The intercity Class 802 trains are maintained by Hitachi in Doncaster and Edinburgh. The Nova 1 train fleet is owned by Angel Trains.
Nova 1 trains manufactured by Hitachi have been introduced in 2019 providing an extra 161 seats per train on TransPennine Express journeys between Liverpool, Manchester, Newcastle and Edinburgh.
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