Crossrail has issued tender documents to the four shortlisted bidders for the Crossrail rolling stock and depot procurement.
The four bidders are Bombardier Transportation (UK), CAF, Hitachi and Siemens.
Around 60 new trains will be required, which will be ‘around 200 metres in length’ and be able to carry up to 1,500 passengers.
The tender documents set out Crossrail’s requirements for new high-capacity rolling stock and associated depot at Old Oak Common.
Crossrail will introduce rolling stock to the Great Eastern Main Line from May 2017, with the fleet progressively introduced to the existing rail network well in advance of services commencing through Crossrail’s central section.
Tenders are due to be returned to Crossrail during summer 2012 and the contract will be awarded in 2014.
Secretary of State for Transport Justine Greening said:
“I want this procurement to be a fair process that provides best value for money for the UK taxpayer and future fare-payers and high quality, reliable trains for the millions of people that will use Crossrail services every week.
“Four bidders will be receiving the Invitation to Negotiate having performed strongly at the pre-qualification stage and I look forward to a highly competitive process.”
As all the companies are foreign owned, lets keep the tender process competitive (including tax payments to UK treasury), and based upon previous quality of supplied product rather than political fashion. We don’t want another RBS or Lloyds Bank fiasco!!!!Â
Let’s hope that best value for the British taxpayer also takes into account the long term employment prospects offered to people in our country. Will Siemens ever build a plant in the U.K. I doubt it.