Bombardier Transportation has received a £133m ($161m) contract to maintain a fleet of Class 222 diesel-electric multiple unit (DEMU) trains, which operate on the East Midlands Railway mainline in the UK.

The rolling stock manufacturer signed the train services agreement (TSA) with Abellio and Eversholt Rail to maintain the train fleet until 31 December 2022.

The latest contract supersedes the previous maintenance contract that Bombardier had with the former East Midlands Trains franchise Stagecoach.

Work includes maintaining 27 Class 222 trains at Derby Etches Park depot. Heavier component maintenance of the vehicles will be carried out at Bombardier Crewe.

Bombardier Transportation UK president Phil Hufton said: “We are delighted that we have reached an agreement with Abellio to maintain the Class 222 fleet for East Midlands Railway’s mainline services.

“This important contract win is testament to our team at Derby Etches Park and their hard work and professionalism in continually delivering one of the highest performing and most reliable Intercity fleets.”

The agreement has been signed just days after Abellio officially assumed the East Midlands rail franchise, now called East Midlands Railway.

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Eversholt Rail client relations director Steve Timothy said: “We are pleased to be working in partnership with Bombardier Transportation to support the delivery of our Class 222 trains for the Sheffield-London mainline service to Abellio East Midlands Railway from 19 August.”

In April, Abellio was selected by the UK Department for Transport (DfT) to run the East Midlands Railway franchise.

It will run the franchise till 21 August 2027, with the option for a two-year extension.