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Bombardier Transportation has received a contract from FirstGroup and MTR to supply and maintain 750 Bombardier AVENTRA vehicles, which are set to operate on the UK's South Western franchise.

The £895m contract represents the largest ever single order for AVENTRA trains.

Bombardier will also execute a technical services and spares supply agreement (TSSSA) with a seven year franchise duration that can be extended for 11 periods in line.

The UK-based rolling stock investment consortium Rock Rail will finance the procurement.

Bombardier Transportation UK managing director Richard Hunter said: “AVENTRA offers enhanced performance and increased passenger capacity, which will play an important part in helping First / MTR satisfy continued levels of passenger growth on the South Western network.

“The contract builds upon our strong credentials, following the selection of AVENTRA for Crossrail and LOTRAIN in London, as well as for the East Anglia franchise. 

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“We look forward to deepening our collaborative relationship with First/MTR.”

Bombardier’s new AVENTRA electric unit will feature regenerative braking in order to improve performance, along with various other features intended to enhance the overall passenger experience.

"The contract builds upon our strong credentials, following the selection of AVENTRA for Crossrail and LOTRAIN in London, as well as for the East Anglia franchise."

It will also be equipped with wide-open gangways between carriages, air conditioning, Wi-Fi, two-and-two seating and USB sockets at seat locations, as well as universal toilets and an improved passenger information system.

Bombardier will deliver the new units in both five-car and ten-car configurations.

The FirstGroup and MTR partnership is scheduled to receive South Western franchise on 20 August, with the new trains planned for operation along the Windsor, Reading and West London suburban routes.

The first of the new AVENTRA trains is expected to commence service from mid-2019, with the full fleet becoming fully operational by December 2020.


Image: Bombardier AVENTRA train at Waterloo Station in London. Photo: © Bombardier.