Bombardier to provide 130 more train cars to UK rail company

More than 2000 ELECTROSTAR train cars are in service.  

Bombardier Transportation today announced that it has secured an additional order for 130 Bombardier ELECTROSTAR cars for Southern in the UK. The new trains will augment Southern's existing fleet of Bombardier's electric multiple units. The contract is valued at £189 million GBP (approx € 227 million euro / $ 296 million US).

"We are delighted to be awarded this contract by Southern. This is a significant project which emphasises the performance of Bombardier's products in the UK," said Paul Roberts, Chief Country Representative and President of Bombardier Transportation, Services UK and Passenger Fleet Management Service Line. "These vehicles have a proven track record for their excellent reliability and environmental performance which will now benefit many additional passengers in London and the South East. The new trains will be manufactured in the UK with initial production commencing in the latter half of 2012."

Bombardier has a wealth of experience in aluminium train production in the UK, with almost 2,000 ELECTROSTAR electric multiple unit cars produced and in service. The ELECTROSTAR has won numerous awards for its reliability and availability with a variety of operators.

The ELECTROSTAR train is a well-proven product providing services for a number of train operators in the UK including c2c, Southeastern and Southern. More recently, ELECTROSTAR-type trains have also been purchased by Transport for London to provide the London Overground services on East London Line and North London Railway and by National Express East Anglia to provide services to and from Stansted Airport. The prestigious Gautrain new railway in Johannesburg, South Africa also operates ELECTROSTAR trains.

In the UK's rail transportation industry, Bombardier is the only remaining train builder in the country, with production facilities in Derby and Plymouth and 15 maintenance and overhaul centres across the UK. Bombardier is contracted to service 5,200 vehicles in Great Britain.