Nexus has confirmed the timeline for the new £337 million Tyne and Wear Metro rolling stock.
The announcement from the public body, which owns and manages the metro system, follows chancellor Philip Hammond’s recent Budget announcement that the trains will be funded by the government. North East Combined Authority will invest £25 million as part of a local contribution to the project.
Nexus managing director Tobyn Hughes said it made a strong case for funding and will immediately begin the search for a train-builder to manufacture the 84 trains.
In January, 2018, Nexus will issues a formal invite for companies to tender for the contract to supply a new fleet.
Between July, 2019, and the following September, tenders will arrive and be considered and in February, 2020, the rolling stock contract will be awarded.
In total it will take up to three years for the new fleet to be delivered from the contract award date with trains being put into service as they arrive. The first one is expected to arrive in late 2021 and as each new train is delivered, old carriages will be phased out.
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