Greater Anglia signs £800m deal for train maintenance
A 15-year agreement with Alstom will cover the operator's 133 Class 720 Aventra trains.
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Greater Anglia has entered into an £800 million maintenance support contract with Alstom. This 15-year agreement, signed on 19 June 2024, will ensure the operator's fleet of 133 five-car Class 720 Aventra trains continues to operate through to the early 2040s.
Fleet maintenance and reliability
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The contract encompasses planned and unplanned maintenance, fault repairs, the supply of parts, and major overhauls for the entire Class 720 Aventra fleet. Alstom reports that these trains are currently achieving more than 40,000 miles between technical incidents, a figure that surpasses their contractual reliability requirements.
Martin Beable, Chief Operating Officer at GBR Anglia, expressed anticipation for the continued collaboration. "We’re looking forward to working with Alstom and Angel Trains to build on the major improvements in service and reliability these new trains have already been delivering for our customers and communities," he stated.
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The agreement will provide ongoing support for approximately 100 Alstom jobs located at Greater Anglia's Seven Kings depot in east London. The Class 720 trains, built by Alstom at its Derby Litchurch Lane factory, were ordered in 2016 and are owned and financed by Angel Trains. All 133 trains are now in operation.
Steve Harvey, Services Director UK and Ireland at Alstom, highlighted the significance of the long-term partnership. "This contract reflects the trust that Greater Anglia places in Alstom and demonstrates how the best whole-life outcomes are secured for passengers and taxpayers when owners, operators and manufacturers work in partnership for the long term," Mr Harvey said.
The extended agreement also establishes a framework for Greater Anglia, Alstom, and the future Great British Railways (GBR) to collaborate on train performance and passenger experience as the railway sector transitions to a new national structure.
Questions this report answers
+What is the value of the new maintenance contract?
Greater Anglia has signed an £800 million maintenance support contract with Alstom. This agreement is set to run for 15 years, ensuring the upkeep of the Class 720 Aventra train fleet until the early 2040s.
+How many trains does the contract cover?
The 15-year agreement covers Greater Anglia's entire fleet of 133 five-car Class 720 Aventra trains. These trains form a substantial part of the operator's services across the region.
+What impact will the contract have on jobs?
The maintenance agreement will support approximately 100 Alstom jobs. These roles are based at Greater Anglia's Seven Kings depot in east London, ensuring continued employment for staff involved in train upkeep.
+How reliable are the Class 720 Aventra trains?
Alstom states that the Class 720 Aventra trains are currently travelling more than 40,000 miles between technical incidents. This performance exceeds the contractual reliability requirements set for the fleet.
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