Nexus and Stadler have officially signed the contracts for the delivery and maintenance of a new fleet of trains for the Tyne and Wear Metro. 42 new trains will be supplied up until 2024 to replace the current fleet, which has been in service since the Metro opened in 1980.
As we reported at the time the new trains will not only cut Metro’s high voltage consumption by 30% but will also be 15 times more reliable than the current fleet. There will also be more modern facilities such as wifi, charging points, air conditioning and level access for all passengers.
The contract – which also includes the construction of a new depot at South Gosforth and carry out maintenance for 35 years – is worth £700m. It has been signed after the ending of a 10 ten objection period in which no competitor appealed against the decision to award the contract to Stadler.
It is planned that trains will start to enter service during 2023 and that by the following year all of the old fleet will have been withdrawn. The trains will be longer than the current fleet and this will remove the need for two units to be coupled together to form a single train set.
Tobyn Hughes, Director General of Nexus, said: “We have secured the best train builder in the world to make the new Metro fleet. It’s an historic moment in the proud 40 year history of the Tyne and Wear Metro service. I am delighted that has now been made official with the signing of the contract with Stadler. The hard work now starts in making our new train fleet become a reality. It heralds a very exciting future for Metro, its passengers, and its workforce. We asked for the best trains for the best price, transforming the passenger experience and delivering huge energy savings. Stadler has delivered on all fronts, and we look forward to working with them and the extensive UK supply chain which will support them over the coming years.”
Ansgar Brockmeyer, Sales Director at Stadler, commented: “The contract with Nexus represents an important milestone for Stadler in Great Britain. After Glasgow and Liverpool, this is the third metro operator to opt for a Stadler vehicle. We look forward to working with Nexus and our suppliers in the North East of England.”