Contracts signed for Southern Electrostar order

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The Department for Transport (DfT) has finalised a deal with Bombardier for 116 Electrostar trains, securing an important order for the manufacturer’s site in Derby.

Announcing the end of the standstill period, Transport Secretary Patrick McLoughlin visited the Stewarts Lane depot in Battersea to see the newest fleet of EMUs being prepared for operation.

The 116 new carriages will initially be used on the Thameslink route, allowing the release of existing rolling stock to newly-electrified routes across the country.

Transport Secretary Patrick McLoughlin said: “London’s commuters deserve a first class rail network and comfortable modern trains, Southern is delivering that.

“This second order will also provide a further boost to the thousands of passengers who travel into London every day.”

The order could be potentially worth £385 million to Bombardier as it includes an option for an additional 140 vehicles.

The new fleet of Electrostar vehicles are being financed by ROSCO Porterbrook and leased to operator Southern.

Southern fleet director Gerry McFadden said: “Getting the trains built, tested and in service within a two-year time scale is setting a new record for train delivery, but we and Bombardier are determined to provide our passengers with the longer trains they have been promised.”

The new carriages will be delivered from 2015, with 40 vehicles still to be delivered from the previous order in 2014.

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