Merseytravel has said it has begun the process to replace the Merseyrail fleet of trains.
Head-hunters have been appointed to draw up a list of candidates for the post of project director to deliver the procurement.
Merseytravel has been looking at ways to replace the ‘aging fleet of trains on the Merseyrail network for some time’, and recently sought expressions of interest from manufacturers worldwide.
This latest development formally kick-starts the scheme, that should see new trains delivered by 2017. It is anticipated that the formal tendering process will begin later this summer.
The current fleet of class 507 and 508 trains were built in the late 1970’s and despite a full overhaul programme that began a decade ago, both the expected lifespan of the vehicles and the current leasing arrangements, are set to expire over the next 6 years.
Councillor Mark Dowd, Chair of Merseytravel, said:
“The Merseyrail rolling stock replacement project will be one of the most significant schemes undertaken by Merseytravel over the next few years, with consequences that will extend for decades.
“Getting the right person to oversee the project and creating the right project governance arrangements are the first priorities on the way to successful delivery of new trains for Wirral and Northern Line passengers.”
I seem to remember that when Connex SouthEastern were using 508s on the Medway Valley and Sheerness-on-Sea lines it was considered they would be life expired in 2014. Considering the usage by Merseyrail is far more intensive their replacement appears long overdue.