Reports on the BBC have suggested that local train builder Hitachi \u2013 local as in they have a factory in the north east at Newton Aycliffe \u2013 have been unsuccessful in their bid to build the new trains for the Tyne and Wear Metro but Nexus have denied they have made a decision yet. The new trains are set to be introduced on the network from the end of 2021 with three companies in the running to supply the fleet of 42 vehicles: Hitachi, Stadler and CAF.<\/p>\n
The shortlist for the construction of the trains was only announced in June and Nexus have confirmed they don\u2019t intend to make an official announcement until January once they have \u201ccompleted detailed and thorough evaluation\u201d. However, despite this a leak seems to have sprung in this evaluation as the claims are out in the open that Hitachi will not be the successful bidder \u2013 and with the company set to build any trains in the north east this news has been met with anger.<\/p>\n
Ben Houchen, Tees Valley Mayor, said: \u201cThe new Nexus trains will be built by a foreign company, rather than one just down the road. We must stop this madness.”<\/p>\n
For their part Nexus released a statement which didn\u2019t go as far as denying that Hitachi had been unsuccessful: \u201cThe procurement of our new fleet is an ongoing process, and we have made no decision about who might be awarded the contract to design and build new trains. We will not comment on any details of the respective bids from the final three companies involved – Hitachi Rail, Stadler or CAF – at this stage. The successful bidder will be announced in the new year when we have completed detailed and thorough evaluation.\u201d<\/p>\n
Where the truth lies is unclear at this stage but if Nexus were unsure how local reaction may go if it isn\u2019t Hitachi they now know!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Reports on the BBC have suggested that local train builder Hitachi \u2013 local as in they have a factory in the north east at Newton Aycliffe \u2013 have been unsuccessful in their bid to build the new trains for the … Continue reading