Britain’s last remaining train factory has been thrown a lifeline with the announcement of the four shortlisted bidders for the Crossrail rolling stock and depot contract.
The Derby-based Bombardier Transportation (UK) factory is up against bids from Construcciones y Auxiliar de Ferrocarriles of Spain; Hitachi Rail Europe; and Germany’s Siemens.
Crossrail will require around 60 new trains, each around 200 metres in length and able to carry up to 1,500 passengers, with key features to be air conditioning and inter-connecting walk-through carriages.
The tender documents issued to the shortlisted companies yesterday set out Crossrail’s requirements for the new high-capacity rolling stock and associated depot at Old Oak Common. The contract will be awarded in 2014.
The procurement process has two rounds: the first is for the competing companies to provide technical proposals and their approach to securing the necessary finance. This will be followed by a shortlist of bidders who will be invited to participate in the second round, which will focus on bidders providing fully funded proposals. At the end of round two a preferred bidder will be selected.
Crossrail said that only bidders who meet its minimum technical and delivery requirements will be considered at the end of each round, with selection based upon the most economically advantageous bids submitted.
The cost of the new rolling stock and depot facilities will total around £1 billion—the largest single contract that Crossrail will award.
Crossrail will run 118 kilometres from Maidenhead and Heathrow in the west of England, through new twin-bore 21 kilometre tunnels under central London to Shenfield and Abbey Wood in the east. It will bring an additional 1.5 million people within 45 minutes’ commuting distance of London's key business districts.
Commenting on the shortlist, Andrew Wolstenholme, Crossrail’s chief executive said:“Procurement of the rolling stock and depot is crucial to the overall delivery of Crossrail, which will create a significant transformation of transport in London and the south-east. Over the past year Crossrail has successfully procured some of the largest value contracts in recent UK construction history—creating major employment opportunities and providing a much needed boost to the UK economy.
“In doing so we have developed a reputation for being an industry leader in procurement built on a commitment to conduct our procurements in a fair, objective and transparent manner and in full compliance with the regulatory framework.”
Secretary of state for transport Justine Greening said: “This is an important step in making Crossrail a reality for millions of passengers who will use it every week. Once these 60 trains are operational they will carry an additional 1.5 million people within 45 minutes of the heart of London, help the growth of the UK economy and create opportunities for new apprenticeships and jobs.
“A number of outcomes from the government’s review of public procurement have been reflected in this procurement, which could bring opportunities to UK businesses. This includes a ‘responsible procurement’ requirement that means bidders will need to set out how they will engage with the wider supply chain and provide opportunities for training, apprenticeships and for small and medium size businesses within their procurement strategy.”
Crossrail will boost London’s rail-based capacity by 10 per cent, delivering new journey opportunities, faster journey times and up to 24 trains per hour between Paddington and Whitechapel during the peak.
