Transport for London (TfL) has shortlisted four bidders to supply new rolling stock to operate on the London Overground network.
The shortlisted bidders are Siemens Mobility Rolling Stock, Hitachi Rail Europe, Construcciones y Auxiliar de Ferrocarriles and Bombardier Transportation.
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The winning bidder will supply 39 new four-car, electric, metro-style trains to operate high-frequency, high-capacity suburban services in and around London.
A total of 31 trains will be operated on routes recently transferred from the West Anglia franchise to TfL, which run between Liverpool Street and Enfield Town, Cheshunt through Seven Sisters and Chingford, as well as the Romford to Upminster route.
The remaining eight trains will be used in the Gospel Oak to Barking service, replacing the current two-carriage diesel trains.
TfL London Rail managing director Mike Brown said: "New and reliable trains have been a key contributor to the huge success of London Overground since TfL took over the management of Silverlink Metro services in 2007.
"Our customers have now come to expect something better from London Overground and that is why this competition is so important to take our service on the Overground to the next level.
"We welcome the wide international interest from the rolling stock market in bidding for this order and look forward to engaging with the chosen manufacturers to define a standard that will set a new benchmark for TfL for many years to come."
Image: The concourse of Liverpool Street station, London, UK. Photo: courtesy of Aurelien Guichard.
