Agility Trains Ltd. today announced that it is delighted by the Department for Transport’s decision to proceed with the Intercity Express Programme (IEP) with Agility Trains, subject to financial close. Under the IEP Agility Trains will deliver train services to Train Operating Companies at a fixed price for approximately 30 years using the IEP family of trains.
Since the Preferred Bidder announcement on 12 February 2009, Agility Trains has worked very hard to improve value for money in response to the UK’s public financial position and has passed on 100% of all value for money benefits to the UK Government. In addition Agility Trains is delighted that the programme has passed a rigorous value for money assessment and the company looks forward to completing this innovative, competitive and complex procurement to provide new Intercity trains on a fully maintained and serviced basis to both the Great Western and East Coast Mainline routes.
The Intercity Express Programme includes delivery and maintenance of a family of new state of the art Super Express trains which will constitute a step change in capacity, improved reliability and reduced environmental impact on every train journey. All of this will lead to a significant improvement in passenger experience and cost savings to the UK government on the long term operation and maintenance of intercity train services across the UK. The Trains will be funded, owned and maintained by Agility Trains and will be provided to Train Operators (TOCs) on a pay-as-you-go basis contingent on fully serviceable, clean, reliable train services being delivered.
In addition, Hitachi is pleased to announce that Newton Aycliffe in Co. Durham is the preferred site for its planned European rolling stock manufacturing and assembly centre (subject to finalising commercial agreements). This investment will generate at least 500 new jobs, and major opportunities for the UK and European supply chain. The company looks forward to working with the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills, local authorities and a new workforce to create a world-class manufacturing facility.
Agility Trains is now looking forward to finalising the commercial details and engaging with its lending banks to reach financial close on the project by the end of the year.
We are informed that the Newton Aycliffe factory is to be a train MANUFACTURING & ASSEMBLY plant but, as yet, there no indication as to what exactly will be made there, as there is a genuine concern that the majority of components (bodyshells, bogies, traction motors etc.) will be manufactured elsewhere and merely delivered to Newton Aycliffe for final assembly. This would go against the promise of creating a world-class manufacturing facility and providing employment for skilled engineers. Also, before all 100 new trains are delivered to British TOCs, Agility Trains will have to secure orders from rail operators around Europe and the World, or else the new factory will not survive. In this regard, remember the ill-fated Thrall wagon-building factory at York?