Stadler has signed a deal with Merseytravel worth up to £700 million (EUR 818.8 million) to build and maintain 52 metro trains on the Merseyrail network for the Liverpool City Region from 2020. Merseytravel also has the option to trigger the manufacture of a further 60 vehicles.
Replacing one of the oldest fleets in the UK, the new trains will provide fully step free access for all passengers, making Merseyrail the most accessible traditional network in the UK. The trains will have lower floors, only 960 mm above rail level, and will be entirely walk-through, increasing their capacity to 486 people. The trains will be able to carry 60% more passengers, while retaining the same number of seats, and will cut journey times by up to 10%.
On-board safety will be enhanced by open and airy compartments with no dividing doors, as well as CCTV and a transparent cabin for the driver. The trains will have wider aisles, larger vestibules at the doorways, more grab handles, making the train safer to use for standing passengers too. Strong but lightweight carriages, built from aluminium extrusions, mean they will be safer and more energy efficient.
The new four-car trains will all be in service by 2021, with the first unit arriving for testing by the middle of 2019.
Through the maintenance contract, Stadler will undertake light and heavy maintenance of the units throughout their 35 year life cycle. Under the contract, a new Kirkdale maintenance depot will also be entirely designed, built and operated by Stadler.
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