Southeastern has published an Invitation to Negotiate with a number of shortlisted bidders for a contract that could see new trains enter service for their Metro services.
The shortlisted bidders for new trains are Alstom, CAF, Hitachi, Siemens and Stadler.
The Metro services link London Victoria, Charing Cross and Cannon Street with South East London, Dartford, Sevenoaks, Grove Park and Gillingham as well as other parts of South-East Kent.
The Invitation to Negotiate has options including new trains, trains coming from other parts of the country, or keeping the current fleet of trains and upgrading them.
Southeastern says that it would benefit taxpayers as the plans would reduce repair / maintenance costs.
Improvements could include:
- Improved accessibility to maximise unassisted boarding – developed alongside The Rail Safety & Standards Board, Network Rail and manufacturers
- Brighter and more spacious interiors in order to provide more space for more customers on our growing railway
- Air conditioning to provide a better and more comfortable environment, particularly as our summers become warmer
- Improved customer information to keep customers up-to-date and to plan onward journeys
- More reliable trains with improved acceleration and braking to help deliver a more punctual and low-cancellation railway
- Onboard batteries to keep trains running in the event of power supply failure as well as enhancing safety in stations, depots and sidings
Timescales for the introduction of the trains will be confirmed in the next stages of the procurement process.
“As part of our commitment to building a better, more reliable and sustainable railway we are pushing forward with our plans to develop our Metro operation into a high-performing railway.
“We are working at pace, with our partners at Network Rail, to improve performance, expand our timetable, enhance our stations and increase staffing levels. The final piece of the jigsaw will be the replacement of our aging Metro fleet.
“Despite the sterling work of our people to keep our current Metro fleets in service, our customers will know only too well that many of the trains are tired and, in terms of accessibility and customer facilities, have fallen behind what is available elsewhere on the Southeastern network and across the country.
“We are now inviting competitive offers from our short-listed suppliers and want to bring modern rolling stock to our railway for the benefit of customers and taxpayers.
“To ensure we make the right choice we will be working closely with Network Rail, the Rail Safety and Standards Board, our Accessible Travel Advisory Panel, the Trades Unions and the Department for Transport. There is a lot of work ahead, but the prize is significant.”
Steve White, Managing Director, Southeastern
Responses
It would be great for southeastern to get new step free trains and the Electrostars to go to West Yorkshire where they are still running diesels.
Welcome to hear SE is planning new trains. Please can we have comfortable seats — not the hard “Ironing board’ seats that operate on City Beam/ Thameslink Siemens trains.
Also the interior colouring could be improved. E.G. instead of the cheap pale grey white side panelling a traditional faux wood looking with a mid brown colour and a “soft” red moquette would be more attractive than the cold and dingy white and grey/blue..
I suggest that Southeastern should start the planning process on who is going to win the bid and to manufacture the new trains to replace the Class 465 and Class 466 Networker EMUs.
Plus Chiltern Railways and Great Western Railway who have got the Class 165 and Class 166 might also need to be replaced unless they are to keep them until they reach 50 years old.
Currently SE has three metro fleets. The logical solution would be more City Beam Siemens units, giving the company just two fleets. Easier to maintain and couple together.
All we need are seats that are fit to sit in. So 2 + 2 in 2nd Class and 2 + 1 in 1st (where needed. 1st should be removed from many trains and kept for long distance only). No more 3 + 2 ridiculously tiny seats for midgets which result in less than 100% occupancy because we’re all “too big”.
Southeastern does need more new trains and to replace the Class 465 and Class 466 Networkers. And to decide on whether to replace the Class 376 and send them to Southern or to keep the Class 376. And also whether to keep the Class 377/5 or to replace the Class 377/5 and send them to Southern.
….more spacious interiors….ie….fewer seats….?
Has someone taken a blow to the head? I thought refurbished trains were the bogey man of the railway industry (and the reason 20 year old trains go on the scrap heap). What’s changed (for the better)? Is DfT not involved this time?
Air conditioning and toilets on all new trains is a must, please. USB sockets would also be good. Also, more open space in carriages without seats, would be nice , so that wheelchairs, mobility scooters and push chairs, prams and bicycles can manoeuvre inside the carriages a lot better.
Would be great to see new trains built to replace the Class 465 and Class 466 Networkers that Southeastern need to replace.