UK infrastructure manager Network Rail (NR) has awarded a contract to Hitachi Rail Europe (HRE) for the supply of traffic management system to London’s north-south Thameslink network.
The £24m deal will cover the installation of Hitachi’s Tranista Traffic Management technology on the Thameslink corridor running north-south across London.
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HRE’s traffic management systems support railway operations that can be reconfigured flexibly in keeping with passenger demand, to manage and control the running of the railway, as well as support the rapid recovery of operations in the event of a delay or disruption.
The new system will allow 24 trains an hour to run reliably through central London in each direction by 2018.
Hitachi Rail Europe managing director Karen Boswell said: "This is a fantastic achievement for Hitachi Rail in the UK, following on the back of the Class 395 (Javelin) high-speed trains in 2009, the InterCity Express Programme (IEP) contract in July 2012 and Abellio’s ScotRail contract signed in March this year.
"Hitachi Rail is determined to strengthen its railway-related business in the UK and I look forward to working with Network Rail to deploy our proven traffic management system, which will bring significant benefits to rail commuters."
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By GlobalDataAdditionally, the system will provide a real-time flow of passenger information.
UK Rail Minster Claire Perry said: "We are investing in the Thameslink Programme because it will transform rail travel for customers in London and the south-east, providing more seats and quicker journeys. It will also create thousands of jobs, making it a vital part of our long-term economic plan.
"Today’s announcement isn’t just about new technology, it’s a key way to improve customer journeys, by increasing reliability and making sure they have the right information at the right time."
NR’s core Thameslink contract with HRE covers a distance equal to 20min travel time on either end of the central section between Blackfriars and St Pancras International.
Additionally, the contract includes options to expand the scope to cover the whole of the Brighton Main Line and part of the East Coast Main Line.
Image: Member of Hitachi Rail Europe and Network Rail at the signing of the Thameslink contract for traffic management. Photo: courtesy of Hitachi Rail Europe.
