Rolling stock manufacturers Bombardier Transportation and Hitachi Rail Europe have agreed to jointly bid for a £2.75bn contract to manufacture high-speed trains for the UK’s HS2 project.

The firms confirmed that they will submit a joint bid to design, build and deliver trains that will operate on the HS2 network.

In November last year, the two companies were shortlisted by HS2 for the rolling stock contract along with Alstom, Patentes Talgo and Siemens.

The overall contract is expected to involve the delivery of at least 54 trains that will operate on Phase 1 of HS2 between London and the West Midlands.

“HS2 is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to transform the nation’s transport network and we are very excited by the chance to play a key part in delivering it.”

The trains will also be made compatible to run on the current network to different cities such as York, Newcastle, Liverpool, Glasgow and Edinburgh.

A tendering process is scheduled to start later this year, with the contract expected to be awarded in late-2019.

How well do you really know your competitors?

Access the most comprehensive Company Profiles on the market, powered by GlobalData. Save hours of research. Gain competitive edge.

Company Profile – free sample

Thank you!

Your download email will arrive shortly

Not ready to buy yet? Download a free sample

We are confident about the unique quality of our Company Profiles. However, we want you to make the most beneficial decision for your business, so we offer a free sample that you can download by submitting the below form

By GlobalData
Visit our Privacy Policy for more information about our services, how we may use, process and share your personal data, including information of your rights in respect of your personal data and how you can unsubscribe from future marketing communications. Our services are intended for corporate subscribers and you warrant that the email address submitted is your corporate email address.

Bombardier Transportation UK managing director Richard Hunter said: “HS2 is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to transform the nation’s transport network and we are very excited by the chance to play a key part in delivering it.

“By joining together in partnership with Hitachi we will combine both company’s global high-speed expertise with unrivalled British experience and help generate skills and prosperity across a number of UK regions.”

Bombardier and Hitachi’s UK operations currently include train factories in Derby and Newton Aycliffe, a strong supply chain, as well as multiple maintenance facilities.

The companies recently joined forces to deliver high-speed rail in Italy.

Capable of operating at a top speed of 398km/h, the resulted ETR 1000 trains for Trenitalia in Italy were built using 85% recycled materials.