Bombardier and Siemens are set to rebuild UK train fleets following the creation of a new rail franchise to overhaul the nation’s West Midlands rail services.
New franchise London Midland, run by transport group Govia, will combine the existing Silverlink County franchise including the Birmingham to Liverpool route and is expected to generate annual revenue of approximately £500m.
Thirty-seven Siemens Desiros and 12 two-car and 15 three-car Bombardier Turbostars will replace the existing Class 153 and Class 170 rolling stock.
As part of improvement plans, automatic load monitoring equipment will be fitted to provide reliable data on heavily and lightly loaded trains, enabling timetable alterations to alleviate crowding.
The new franchise will begin on 11th November 2007 and will run until 19th September 2015.
