London Underground (LU) has announced they’ve started their search for a supplier to help them build a New Tube for London and realise their vision for London’s transport service. Their inspiring vision includes 250 new walk-through trains, modern signalling systems to increase capacity and deal with higher levels of demand as the capital’s population goes up, and air-cooled trains for the Central, Bakerloo, Piccadilly and Waterloo & City lines.
Last week, a notice was published in the Official Journal of the European Union (OJEU) by LU asking for expressions of interest to build the news trains, with formal Invitations to Tender due to be issued early in 2015.
The LU believes that by introducing new trains, they will be able to increase capacity on the Bakerloo and Central lines by as much as 25%, by around 50% on the Waterloo & City lines, and by a massive 60% on the Piccadilly line! And with approximately 100 trains on the Central and Piccadilly lines respectively, a further 40 on the Bakerloo line and 10 on the Waterloo & City line.
Boris Johnson, current Mayor of London, described the LU’s new signalling and train modernisation plans as being vital to enable them to continue to deliver a reliable, frequency and comfortable service for all passengers. He added: “This is a hugely important step in the continued evolution of our world-famouse Tube and one that will see an iconic new fleet of trains to keep London and its economy moving.”
Mike Brown, MD of London Underground, said that they had already made significant improvements and modernisations to the Underground, including work on the Victoria and Jubilee lines that has delivered not only more reliable journeys for passengers, but also more frequent services. He commented: “Working with the rail industry, we want the New Tube for London to encompass the very latest technology as well as respecting our design heritage. Our new trains will be energy efficient, walk-through and provide air-cooling for the first time on the deep level lines, which are unique to London.”
Let’s hope this new vision for our London Underground actually brings it in line with the efficiencies of our European counterparts!
By Oliver Derek